Bill > A658

Introduced Session

This bill establishes protocols for prescribing and dispensing benzodiazepine. Under the bill, the Department of Health (department) is to: establish protocols for practitioners to follow including a slow, patient controlled tapering and encouraging the use of the Ashton manual to safely discontinue patients' use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines hypnotics to minimize patients' symptoms of withdrawal, and permitting patients with long-term use of benzodiazepines, who are dependent on the medication, to remain on the medication or to safely taper at a rate that is determined by the patient's symptoms; produce and distribute in written or electronic form to pharmacies and practitioners to distribute to patients, a cautionary pamphlet for consumers regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics on: (1) misuse and abuse by adults and children; (2) risk of dependency and addiction; (3) proper storage and disposal; and (4) addiction support and treatment resources. The department is to prohibit one benzodiazepine or one non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescription to exceed four weeks unless there is a proven medical need, medical exception, or both. The department is to prohibit a practitioner or pharmacist from prescribing or dispensing a benzodiazepine or a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic unless pharmacist and practitioner furnishes the patient with the pamphlet provided for in this bill and collects the patient's signed consent form. Further, the department is to require bold lettering labels on benzodiazepine or non-benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions to alert patients to the risk of dependence, addiction, or both. The provisions of this bill do not apply to pharmacists who dispense medication to patients in long-term care facilities or practitioners who treat patients in long-term care facilities.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document