08/09/2016

New Opioid Laws Impact Podiatric Training and Prescribing

The Governor has signed into a law an amendment to the public health law regarding training in pain management and opioid prescriptions.

Training

All podiatrists (and any other person licensed under Title 8) who have a DEA registration number AND all residents prescribing with a facility DEA registration number will be required to take three hours of training approved by the DOH in pain management, palliative care and addiction. 

The course work must be completed by July 1, 2017 and then once within a three year period thereafter. Anyone licensed after July 1, 2017 must complete the course within 1 year of licensure and then once within a three year period thereafter.

Opioid Prescription Limits

To reduce over-prescribing of opioid medications, effective July 22, 2016, initial opioid prescribing for acute pain is limited to a seven (7) day supply.  A practitioner may not initially prescribe more than a seven (7) day supply of an opioid medication for acute pain. Acute pain is defined as pain, whether resulting from disease, accidental or intentional trauma, or other cause, that the practitioner reasonably expects to last only a short period of time.

This rule shall not include prescribing for chronic pain, pain being treated as a part of cancer care, hospice or other end-of-life care, or pain being treated as part of palliative care practices. Upon any subsequent consultations for the same pain, the practitioner may issue any appropriate renewal within statutory limits (30 or 90 days), a refill, or a new prescription for an opioid.

Limited Exemption

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall not be considered professional misconduct for any person who is licensed under Title Eight and who would otherwise be prohibited from prescribing or administering certain opioid medications to administer an opioid antagonist in the event of an emergency.