1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of NRS 639.2391 to 639.23914, inclusive, do not apply to any prescription for a controlled substance listed in schedule II, III or IV for the treatment of the pain of a patient who:

(a) Has been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease or any of its variants; or

(b) Is receiving hospice care or palliative care.

2. Before issuing an initial prescription for a controlled substance listed in schedule II, III or IV for the treatment of the pain of a patient described in subsection 1, a practitioner must:

(a) Have established a bona fide relationship, as described in subsection 4 of NRS 639.235, with the patient; and

(b) Obtain informed consent to the use of the controlled substance that meets the requirements of subsection 2 of NRS 639.23912 or any applicable guidelines or standards for informed consent prescribed by:

(1) If the patient is receiving hospice or palliative care, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(2) If the patient has been diagnosed with cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology or its successor organization or, if that organization ceases to exist, a similar organization designated by regulation of the Board; or

(3) If the patient has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease or any of its variants, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute or its successor organization or, if that organization ceases to exist, a similar organization designated by regulation of the Board.

(Added to NRS by 2019, 2136)