This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by expanding access to the Controlled Substances Monitoring Database maintained by the Board of Pharmacy. Specifically, it introduces new provisions allowing licensed healthcare professionals certified as medical examiners with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, deans of medical schools, designated physician reviewers, and chief medical officers of hospitals to access prescriber-level data. The bill also emphasizes that all law enforcement personnel granted access must be certified and have completed approved training. Additionally, it establishes a West Virginia Controlled Substances Monitoring Program Database Review Committee to oversee the database's use and ensure compliance with established parameters for identifying unusual prescribing patterns.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Board of Pharmacy to issue reports identifying abnormal practices and to communicate with practitioners to manage medications effectively. It also outlines the responsibilities of the advisory committee and the review committee, including the development of parameters for identifying unusual usage patterns and the establishment of outreach programs for local law enforcement. The bill ensures that all information remains confidential and protected, while also providing immunity from civil liability for practitioners who rely on the database in their prescribing decisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the monitoring of controlled substances and improve public health outcomes in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 60A-9-5