32-3248.01. Schedule II controlled substances; dosage limit; exceptions; morphine; opioid antagonist

A. A health professional who is authorized under this title to prescribe controlled substances may not issue a new prescription to be filled or dispensed for a patient outside of a health care institution for a schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid that exceeds ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day.

B. The limit prescribed by subsection A of this section does not apply to:

1. A continuation of a prior prescription that was issued within the previous sixty days.

2. An opioid with a maximum approved total daily dose in the labeling as approved by the United States food and drug administration.

3. A prescription that is issued following a surgical procedure and that is limited to not more than a fourteen-day supply.

4. A patient who:

(a) Has an active oncology diagnosis.

(b) Has a traumatic injury, not including a surgical procedure.

(c) Is receiving hospice care.

(d) Is receiving end-of-life care.

(e) Is receiving palliative care.

(f) Is receiving skilled nursing facility care.

(g) Is receiving treatment for burns.

(h) Is receiving medication-assisted treatment for a substance use disorder.

(i) Is hospitalized.

C. If a health professional believes that a patient requires more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day and the patient is not exempt from the limit pursuant to subsection B of this section, the health professional shall first consult with a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title and who is board-certified in pain, or an opioid assistance and referral call service, if available, that is designated by the department of health services. The consultation may be done by telephone or through telemedicine. If the opioid call service agrees with the higher dose, the health professional may issue a prescription for more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day. If the consulting physician agrees with the higher dose, the health professional may issue a prescription for more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day. If the consulting physician is not available to consult within forty-eight hours after the request, the health professional may prescribe the amount that the health professional believes the patient requires and subsequently have the consultation. If the health professional is a physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title and is board-certified in pain, the health professional may issue a prescription for more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day without a consultation under this subsection.

D. If a patient is prescribed more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day pursuant to subsection B or C of this section, the prescribing health professional shall also prescribe for the patient naloxone hydrochloride or any other opioid antagonist that is approved by the United States food and drug administration for the treatment of opioid-related overdoses.

E. A prescription order for a schedule II controlled substance that is an opioid that is written for more than ninety morphine milligram equivalents per day is deemed to meet the requirements of an exemption under this section when the prescription order is presented to the dispenser. A pharmacist is not required to verify with the prescriber whether the prescription order complies with this section.