South Dakota lawmaker looks to rein in opioid painkiller prescriptions
PIERRE — Doctors would only be able to prescribe seven days’ worth of opioid painkillers to children or patients taking the drugs for the first time under a bill up for consideration Wednesday in the Statehouse.
Under Senate Bill 176, physicians would be required to consider and discuss with patients alternatives to the painkillers before prescribing opioids for pain management. They would also be required to discuss with patients the risks associated with opioids and proper methods of disposing of the drugs.
The restriction wouldn’t apply to patients receiving hospice or end-of-life care or those with chronic pain that cannot be treated without the painkillers.
More: Avoiding opioids: Avera, law enforcement aim to prevent crisis in S.D.
Supporters said the bill could help rein in opioid addiction and diversion in the state. Meanwhile, opponents said the bill would prevent physicians from making individual choices based on patients’ needs.
Sen. Arthur Rusch, R-Vermillion, brought the bill in an effort to curb opioid addiction in the state. He pointed to National Conference of State Legislature data which showed first-time patients were less likely to develop addictions when prescribed smaller amounts of the drugs.
“I read a lot about the issue and it just seemed to be the right thing to do,” Rusch said.
More: Senate panel votes to drug test Legislature, splitting with peers
Doctor Bob VanDemark Jr., president of the South Dakota Medical Association, said the proposal is well-intended but doesn’t take into account the distinct situations physicians face in weighing opioid prescriptions.
“It’s such a complex issue, and it’s really hard to legislate one prescription program for everybody,” he said.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is set to take up the bill Wednesday morning.
Filed under: General Problems
Leave a Reply