Bill > HB1677

This bill authorizes alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs, including standalone detoxification facilities and substance abuse treatment centers, to maintain emergency medication kits under specific conditions. An emergency medication kit is defined as a collection of medications needed for immediate patient therapeutic needs that cannot be quickly obtained from other sources. To implement this, the treatment program must have medical personnel on staff capable of administering controlled and non-controlled legend drugs, and must designate a licensed pharmacy registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to supply and oversee the kit. The emergency medication kit must be stored in a locked container or cabinet, accessible only to licensed medical personnel, and medications can only be administered by licensed medical personnel following a physician or advanced practice registered nurse's order. Drugs used from the kit must be replaced within 72 hours via a patient-specific prescription. The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy will create rules governing the kits, including specifying their contents (which cannot include Schedule II controlled substances), medication quantities, storage and security requirements, and usage protocols, ultimately aiming to improve rapid medical response in treatment settings.

Health and Social Services

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1677&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R