Opioid diversion omnibus bill goes to governor for signature

Posted on: 5/17/19

The opioid diversion omnibus bill (SB 848, Radar/Echols) modifies SB 1446 from the 2018 legislative session, which established a limited initial prescription of seven days for Schedule II and all opioid drugs. SB 848 applies only to patients who are filling prescriptions outside of a facility setting. It does not apply to inpatients. During the interim, OHA worked with OSMA, OOA and other providers to craft an emergency rule at the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD). The OBNDD rule allowed for the prescribing of an opioid via a second seven-day prescription at the same time as the first, with an express “do not fill until” date, only after a major surgical procedure or for a patient with a homebound ailment. In summary, SB 848 codifies in statute the OBNDD emergency rule from October 2018 and cleans up other opioid provisions from 2018.  

A large and diverse group of health care providers and stakeholders met several times during the legislative session with the Oklahoma attorney general and OBNDD to work on proposed language for SB 848. The collaborative work with OHA staff drafting the language for the bill for the workgroup continued all session until SB 848 was introduced and passed this week. SB 848 on final passage in the Senate received 45 yes votes, 0 no votes. In the House of Representatives, SB 848 received 86 yes votes, 0 no votes and 13 members excused. SB 848 has been sent to Gov. Stitt and awaits his signature.

For more details, click here. (Sandra Harrison)