The bill S. 161 aims to enhance non-opioid pain management in South Carolina by amending the state code to include a new Article 20 in Title 44, Chapter 53. It establishes a state preferred drug list (PDL) that prohibits the preferential coverage of opioid prescriptions over non-opioid treatments. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with creating and maintaining this PDL, ensuring that non-opioid drugs approved by the FDA for pain management are not disadvantaged in terms of coverage compared to opioid drugs. Additionally, the bill mandates that managed care organizations cannot deny coverage for non-opioid medications prescribed for pain in favor of opioids.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Department of Public Health to develop an educational pamphlet detailing non-opioid alternatives for pain treatment, including their advantages and disadvantages. Healthcare practitioners are also required to inform patients about non-opioid options before prescribing opioids, discuss the risks of opioid use, and provide the educational pamphlet. The pamphlet is to be made available on the Department's website by September 30, 2025. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.