Bill > S00493

This bill requires healthcare practitioners to have comprehensive discussions with patients (or their guardians if the patient is a minor) before prescribing certain powerful pain medications, specifically Schedule II controlled substances and opioid drugs. These discussions must occur before the initial and third prescriptions in a treatment course, and must cover critical information including: the risks of addiction and overdose, potential dangers of combining these medications with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, the medical necessity of the prescription, available alternative treatments, and specific warnings about the high addictiveness of opioids, even when taken as prescribed. Additionally, for the first opioid analgesic prescription of a calendar year exceeding one week's supply, physicians must counsel patients about overdose risks and inform them about opioid antagonists like naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdose effects. The bill defines specific opioid analgesics (such as codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone) and opioid antagonists, and requires the health department to develop guidelines to help practitioners conduct these important patient discussions. The law will take effect 120 days after being signed, with immediate authorization for developing necessary implementation regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S493