§ 32 §4878 — Requirements regarding prescribing and dispensing benzodiazepine or opioid medication

1.
Benzodiazepine or opioid medication dispensing.
A veterinarian licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice includes dispensing a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication for an animal is subject to the requirements of the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program established under Title 22, chapter 1603.
2.
Electronic prescribing.
A veterinarian licensed under this chapter whose scope of practice includes prescribing a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication and who has the capability to electronically prescribe shall prescribe all benzodiazepine or opioid medication electronically by July 1, 2025 or when an electronic platform for prescribing is widely available for veterinarians if that occurs before July 1, 2025 as determined by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. A veterinarian licensed under this chapter unable to comply with the electronic prescribing requirements of this subsection may request a waiver from the Commissioner of Health and Human Services for circumstances in which exceptions are appropriate as determined by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.
3.
Continuing education.
A veterinarian who prescribes a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication must successfully complete one hour of continuing education every 2 years on the administration, prescription and management of controlled substances, including benzodiazepine and opioid medications, as a condition of prescribing a benzodiazepine or an opioid medication. The board may adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
4.
Penalties.

Legislative History

PL 2015, c. 488, §27 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 360, §9 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 83, §1 (AMD).