§ 20-7-701. Title

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Combating Prescription Drug Abuse Act”.

§ 20-7-702. Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) “Chronic nonmalignant pain” means pain requiring more than three (3) consecutive months of prescriptions for: (A) An opioid that is written for more than the equivalent of ninety (90) tablets, each containing five milligrams (5 mg) of hydrocodone; (B) A morphine equivalent dose of more than fifteen milligrams (15 […]

§ 20-7-703. Opioid prescribing guidelines for emergency department

(a) A hospital with an emergency department shall adopt guidelines concerning opioid prescribing in the emergency department. (b) The guidelines shall be drafted jointly by the emergency department physicians and medical staff and approved by the governing body of the hospital. (c) The guidelines shall address, at a minimum: (1) Treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain […]

§ 20-7-704. Prescriber education

(a) (1) Within the first two (2) years of being granted a license in the state, a prescriber shall obtain a minimum of two (2) hours of prescribing education approved by the appropriate licensing board. (2) The education approved by the appropriate licensing board under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall include: (A) Options for […]

§ 20-7-705. Licensing board rules

(a) A licensing board that licenses individuals with prescriptive authority shall adopt rules that are at least as stringent as the rules of the Arkansas State Medical Board concerning use of narcotics for the treatment of pain not associated with malignant or terminal illness. (b) A licensing board that licenses individuals who are authorized to […]

§ 20-7-706. Patient evaluation

A patient who is being treated with controlled substances for chronic nonmalignant pain shall be evaluated at least one (1) time every six (6) months by a physician who is licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board.

§ 20-7-707. Prescriber requirements

(a) For a patient with chronic nonmalignant pain, a prescriber, at a minimum and in addition to any additional requirements of the appropriate licensing board, shall: (1) Check the prescriptive history of the patient on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program at least every six (6) months; and (2) Have a signed pain contract with the […]

§ 20-7-708. Immunity

A prescriber or licensed healthcare facility that in good faith reports a suspected drug diversion is immune from civil or criminal liability and disciplinary action by the appropriate licensing board.