Several new laws intended to combat opioid addiction in Oklahoma go live Nov. 1, but there are some things to clear up before then.
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Director John Scully said he’s not sure about the new law requiring pain management clinic owners to register with his agency.
"The bottom line is there’s really no mechanism out there right now where we could automatically determine where these pain management clinics are located and how to locate them," Scully said.
The narcotics bureau will likely get in touch with licensing boards and its more than 21,000 current individuals registered to dispense controlled substances to help identify pain management clinics.
In five months’ time, Oklahoma doctors will be limited to giving patients only seven-day supplies of opioids for initial prescriptions. Senator AJ Griffin said she’s getting questions about the follow-up appointment required before more pills can be prescribed.
"What that evaluation consists of, will mid-levels be allowed to provide that evaluation? Does it need to be in person, or can it be done using electronic methods?" Griffin said.
The measure also requires doctors have one hour a year of continuing education in pain management or opioid use or addiction.
Trafficking one gram or more of fentanyl or a similar drug in Oklahoma becomes subject to harsh penalties on Nov. 1. District Attorneys Council President Kevin Buchanan said the state’s federal prosecutors, however, are already acting.
"Any case involving any opioid — and particularly weapons offenses, particularly those two together — they are willing to lend and help with any kind of prosecution that they can. They’re taking those cases from us immediately and prosecuting those federally," Buchanan said.
Other opioid-related laws passed this session include requiring out-of-state drug manufacturers to register with OBNDD, establishing an opioid fatality review board, mandatory electronic prescribing, and a Good Samaritan law shielding people from prosecution if they call 911 to report an overdose.
