Under the new law, physicians must limit opioid prescriptions to two weeks and perform an initial risk assessment on the patient. After a month of receiving the prescription, patients must enter into a written agreement with their physician to submit to random drug testing and disclose other drug use. Physicians who violate these laws five times will lose their medical license.
Some physicians are worried the laws are vague and perhaps overly strict.
“We appreciate the regulation, we appreciate the fact that something is being done to control an enormous problem, but I think as a group we feel it is a bit too broad and has been extended way too far,” said Cole Sondrup, MD, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.
Other physicians said they are worried the new testing rules will push patients out of physician’s offices and onto the streets in search of prescription drugs.
More articles on opioids:
North Carolina county targets 24 drug companies with opioid lawsuit
Disabled Medicare beneficiaries in low income counties more likely to be prescribed opioids
UPMC Hamot devotes new center to treating pregnant women with opioid addiction
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