Statehouse Update: Governor's Office Considering New Prescribing Requirements

The Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team (GCOAT) Reforming Prescribing Practices Committee is proposing a new rule for physicians when their patients reach a certain dosage threshold for controlled substances.

The Committee is working “to develop recommendations regarding what triggers would cause actions by prescribers of opioids and other controlled substances, and what specific actions would be implemented.” The proposed rule would establish mandated triggers and actions for patients that reach the threshold.

Most of the clinicians and organizations involved in this committee agree that establishing a standard for high dosage patients would be beneficial. However, a potential disagreement exists over how the standards should be implemented – by rule or clinical guideline. GCOAT recently adopted a consensus-based clinical guideline on prescribing controlled substances in emergency departments and urgent care facilities. However, the policymakers leading this discussion have made it clear that a guideline will not suffice.

The OSMA and other state specialty organizations sent a letter to the Governor’s office expressing preference of adopting a clinical guideline. Please email us with your feedback on the proposed rule.

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