A provision of the 2015 state appropriations act, which the Governor signed into law in September, will make NCMB’s policy on the use of prescription opiates for the treatment of chronic pain the statewide standard for responsible prescribing of these medications.
Section 12F.16.(a) of Session Law 2015-241 requires certain state health provider licensing boards and health agencies within state government to adopt the NCMB policy by July 1, 2016. This decision was motivated in part by a 2014 report to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee. The report concluded that NC needs to strengthen its monitoring and prevention of prescription opioid abuse and specifically noted that North Carolina prescribers lack clear, authoritative standards for treating pain with prescription opioid medications.
The NCMB opioid prescribing policy, adopted in June 2014, provides detailed guidance for clinicians seeking to provide appropriate patient care to individuals with a legitimate need for treatment while following accepted best practices to prevent abuse, misuse and diversion of opioid painkillers.
By July 1, 2016, the following State health agencies and health care provider licensing boards are required to adopt NCMB’s
Policy for the Use of Opiates for the Treatment of Pain:
• NC Board of Dental Examiners
• NC Board of Nursing
• NC Board of Podiatry Examiners
• NC Division of Public Health
• NC Division of Medical Assistance
• NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services
• NC Division of Public Safety (Medical, dental and mental health services)
Access the position statement online: http://goo.gl/xTMFW1
