BILL NUMBER: S493
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring health
practitioners to discuss with patients the risks associated with certain
pain medications before prescribing such medications; and in relation to
opioid analgesic prescriptions
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Amends the public health law to better protect the health and safety of
patients undergoing opioid or related schedule II controlled substance
prescription dosage for treatment as well as inform patients of the
side-effects that may result from such use.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public health law by adding a new section 3309-b.
Section 2 amends the public health law by adding a new section 3309-c.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:;
When patients receive opioid and other schedule II controlled substance
prescriptions for pain relief, they are often uninformed of the risks
and side-effects associated with the use of aforesaid medications such
as; physical and psychological dependencies and abuse. Moreover,
patients are frequently neglected to be provided with information of
alternative prescriptions available to them, or why the prescription is
necessary to their well-being. This legislation will help in preventing
patients from being left in the dark regarding the risk management, side
effects, alternative methods, and imperatives of their prescribed medi-
cation.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S03521 / A1227
2021-2022: S6043 / A3405
2019-2020: S4277 / A7285
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.