The bill H. 4165 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding a new article titled "Non-Opioid Treatments for Pain Management" to Chapter 53, Title 44. It defines key terms such as "healthcare practitioner" and "non-opioid treatment," and mandates the Department of Public Health to create and publish an educational pamphlet on non-opioid alternatives for pain management. This pamphlet will include information on available non-opioid treatments, their advantages and disadvantages, and will be developed in collaboration with the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund to utilize opioid abatement funding for educational purposes.

Additionally, the bill establishes guidelines for healthcare practitioners when prescribing opioid medications. Before prescribing Schedule II controlled substances for pain, practitioners must inform patients about non-opioid alternatives, discuss their pros and cons, and provide the educational pamphlet. The bill requires that the pamphlet be available on the Department of Public Health's website by September 30, 2025, and it will take effect upon the Governor's approval.