BILL NUMBER: S6758
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring practi-
tioners to discuss certain risks with a patient who is being prescribed
a controlled substance or an opioid analgesic
 
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 adds subparagraph (b) to subdivision 9 of section 3331 of the
public health law to specify what must be discussed between patient and
physician regarding the risks associated with the drugs being
prescribed.
Section 2 adds subparagraph (vii) to paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of
section 3309 of the public health law to include the definition of
opioid analgesics.
Section 3 amends subdivision 7 of section 3309 of the public health law,
to clarify language and mandate discussion with the patient on the risks
of overdose.
Section 4 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
When patients are given 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 medica-
tions, such as physical and psychological dependencies and misuse. More-
over, providers frequently neglect providing 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 medication.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6758: 3331 public health law, 3331(9) public health law, 3309 public health law, 3309(3) public health law, 3309(7) public health law