Sec. 08.64.363. Maximum dosage for opioid prescriptions.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)A licensee may not issue

(1)an initial prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to an adult patient for outpatient use;

(2)a prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to a minor; at the time a licensee writes a prescription for an opioid for a minor, the licensee shall discuss with the parent or guardian of the minor why the prescription is necessary and the risks associated with opioid use.

(b)Notwithstanding

(a)of this section, a licensee may issue a prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to an adult or minor patient if, in the professional medical judgment of the licensee, more than a seven-day supply of an opioid is necessary for

(1)the patient's acute medical condition, chronic pain management, pain associated with cancer, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the patient's medical condition, chronic pain, pain associated with cancer, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the condition triggering the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition;

(2)a patient who is unable to access a practitioner within the time necessary for a refill of the seven-day supply because of a logistical or travel barrier; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the patient for the time that the patient is unable to access a practitioner; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the reason for the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition; in this paragraph, “practitioner” has the meaning given in AS 11.71.900 ; or

(3)the treatment of a patient's substance abuse or opioid dependence; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid approved for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence for the quantity needed to treat the patient's substance abuse or opioid dependence; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the reason for the prescription of an opioid approved for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence.

(c)In this section,

(1)“adult” means

(A)an individual who has reached 18 years of age; or

(B)an emancipated minor;

(2)“emancipated minor” means a minor whose disabilities have been removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590 ;

(3)“minor” means an individual under 18 years of age who is not an emancipated minor.

Article 3. Miscellaneous Provisions.