Do No Harm Symposium Series Resource Page

 

Resources:

Presentations:

1.     Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs: Emergency new rules for Boards of Medical Examiners, Nursing, Dentistry and Optometry – “Limitations on Prescribing, Administering, or Dispensing of Controlled Dangerous Substances, and Special Requirements for Management of Acute and Chronic Pain,” as a result of P.L. 2017, c. 28, which imposes certain restrictions on how opioids and other Schedule II controlled dangerous substances may be prescribed, including, in cases of acute pain, prohibiting a practitioner from issuing an initial prescription for an opioid drug in a quantity exceeding a five-day supply, and requiring the prescription to be for the lowest effective dose of an immediate-releasing opioid drug. However, because P.L. 2017, c. 28, does not become effective until May 16, 2017, the Attorney General has determined that rulemaking is necessary because the State of New Jersey is confronting a staggering public health crisis brought about by prescription opioid and heroin abuse.

a.      Emergency amendments to the regulations governing prescriptions for CDS were published on 3/20/17.  The limitations and requirements contained in the emergency amendments apply to physicians, podiatrists,physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives and are effective immediately.  The emergency amendments will remain in effect for a period of 60 days, and will be concurrently published for notice and comment in the New Jersey Register on March 20, 2017.  Among other things, the emergency amendments impose a 120 dosage unit or 30 day supply limitation for Schedule II controlled dangerous substances, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the amendments.  With regard to prescriptions for opioid drugs, practitioners are not permitted to issue an initial prescription for an opioid drug for treatment of acute pain in a quantity exceeding a 5 day supply.  The amendments also require the prescribing practitioner to discuss with the patient or the patient’s parent or guardian the reasons why the medication is being prescribed, the possible alternative treatments, and the risks associated with the medication. 

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