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Opioid Prescribing Information
Prescribing Laws
What state laws govern opioid prescribing?
- e-Prescribing of Controlled Substances – Act 96 of 2018
- Prescribing Limits in an Emergency Department, Urgent Care center, or for a Patient in Observation Status – Act 122 of 2016
- Prescribing Limits for Minors – Act 125 of 2016
- Voluntary Non-Opioid Directive – Act 126 of 2016
- Opioid Treatment Agreements – Act 112 of 2019
PAMED’s Opioid Laws Quick Consult
Noloxone
e-Prescribing
- Am I able to issue a hand-written prescription for a controlled substance?
- Are there any exceptions to the e-Prescribing law?
- What is a temporary technological or electrical failure?
- What should I do if I experience a temporary technological or electrical failure?
- If I have internet access but do not have an EHR, or vice versa, do I qualify for a statutory exception?
- If a patient is in the emergency department or a health care facility, is an e-prescribing exception automatic?
- Does a fax meet the requirements for e-prescribing?
- I don’t meet one of the standard exceptions listed, but I can’t comply with the e-prescribing requirements. What should I do?
- What are the penalties if I violate Act 96?
- If I am cited for a violation of Act 96 but don’t feel I’ve done anything wrong, am I able to appeal?
Prescribing Limits in an Emergency Department, Urgent Care Center, or for a Patient in Observation Status
- Are there any limits on prescribing opioids to patients being treated in health care facilities?
- Who does Act 122 apply to?
- What are the prescribing limits for these facilities?
- Are there any exceptions to this prescribing limit?
- What documentation is required if I exceed the prescribing limit?
- If I see a patient in one of these facilities, can I write an opioid prescription with refills?
- If I treat a patient in one of these facilities that I suspect has a substance use disorder, what should I do?
- What are the penalties if I violate Act 122?
Quick Links
Prescribing Limits for Minors
- What are the prescribing limits for minors?
- Who is considered an “authorized adult” for the purpose of providing consent to prescribe an opioid?
- Are there requirements that must be met prior to issuing an opioid prescription to a minor?
- Is there a standardized consent for that I must use?
- Are there any exceptions to the seven-day limit?
- Are there any other exceptions regarding the prescribing of opioids to minors?
- What are the penalties if I violate Act 125?
Voluntary Non-Opioid Directive
- Can a patient refuse a prescription for opioids?
- Is there a specific form a patient must use for a non-opioid directive?
- How is the PNOD executed?
- How long is a PNOD valid?
- Must a PNOD be signed for each practitioner the patient sees?
- Are there any exemptions to a voluntary non-opioid directive?
- What are the penalties if I violate a voluntary non-opioid directive?
Opioid Treatment Agreements
- What is an opioid treatment agreement?
- What are my requirements under Act 112 regarding treatment agreements?
- Is there a required form that must be used for treatment agreements?
- What additional information must be contained in the treatment agreement?
- Is urine drug testing a required component of the treatment agreement?
- How are baseline, periodic, and targeted tests defined?
- How often must urine drug testing be conducted?
- Are there exceptions to the urine drug test requirements?
- What if the patient refuses a urine drug test?
- May I terminate the agreement?
- What are the penalties if I violate this law?
Quick Links
PAMED’s Opioid Treatment Agreement Quick Consult
Opioid Treatment Agreement FAQs
(PA Department of Health)
Prescribing Guidelines
Quick Links
CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
Overview of New CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
Comparison of 2016 and 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain Recommendations
Calculating Total Daily Dose of Opioids for Safe Dosage
Treating Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Treatment of Pain in an Emergent Setting Setting
Opioids in the Dental Practice
Obstetrics & Gynecology Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
Geriatric Pain Opioid Use and Safe Prescribing
Use of Addiction Treatment Medications in the Treatment of Pregnant Patients with OUD
Safe Prescribing Benzodiazepines for Acute Treatment of Anxiety & Insomnia
Safe Prescribing of Opioids in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Safe Prescribing of Opioids in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations
Safe Prescribing for Workers' Compensation
Treating Pain in Patients with OUD
Guidelines for Safe Administration of Low-Dose Ketamine
Treatment of Acute and Chronic Pain in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Prescribing Guidelines for CNS Stimulants in Adults
Prescribing Guidelines for CNS Stimulants in Pediatric Patients
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