Bill > HSB160

Introduced Session

This bill relates to the standards of practice for a physician relating to the prescribing of certain pain medications. The bill requires the board of medicine to amend the standards of practice for appropriate pain management as established by rule in 653 IAC 13.2, to include the following: 1. Prior to issuing an initial prescription for a controlled substance in schedule I or any opioid pain reliever that is a prescription drug in a course of treatment for acute or chronic pain, and prior to issuing a third prescription in the same course of treatment, a physician shall discuss with the patient, or the patient’s parent or guardian if the patient has not reached majority, the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid drugs and the dangers of taking opioid drugs with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants; the reasons the prescription is necessary; alternative treatments that may be available; and the risks associated with the use of the drugs being prescribed. 2. The physician must include a note in the patient’s medical record, confirming that the physician has discussed with the patient, or the patient’s parent or guardian, the information specified in the bill. The bill does not apply to a prescription for a patient who is at the stage of cancer or other terminal illness where the goal of pain management is comfort care.

Committee Categories

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Tabled until future meeting. (on 02/17/2025)

Official Document