Bill > SB1642

This bill modifies existing laws regarding prescription limits for opioid drugs, specifically for treating acute pain. It allows practitioners to issue initial seven-day prescriptions for acute pain in divided quantities, meaning the medication can be dispensed in smaller portions over the seven-day period but still counts as a single prescription. The bill also clarifies that any initial or subsequent opioid prescription for acute pain should be for the lowest effective dose of an immediate-release drug. Additionally, it permits a practitioner to issue a subsequent seven-day prescription for acute pain simultaneously with the initial prescription under specific circumstances, such as for major surgical procedures or when a patient is confined to home, provided certain conditions like a "do not fill until" date are met. The bill also updates language related to patient-provider agreements and discussions about the risks of opioid use.