A new Michigan law protecting patients by limiting opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a 7-day supply took effect Sunday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said the law, part of a legislative package signed late last year to combat the opioid epidemic, specifically limits an acute pain prescription to a 7-day supply within a 7-day period.
“Protecting patients from addiction and overdose risk is the purpose of all of the reforms we enacted,” Calley said. “By limiting exposure to potentially addictive medications, we are reducing the likelihood that someone will become addicted or potentially overdose. These efforts are also spurring conversations between physicians and patients on how to treat acute pain in the safest and most effective manner.”
Recent reforms that have already taken effect require prescribers to register with the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) prior to prescribing or dispensing schedules 2-5 controlled substances.
In addition to registering, prescribers must also review MAPS before prescribing or dispensing a schedule 2-5 controlled substance to a patient in a quantity that exceeds a 3-day supply.
MAPS provides prescribers with a portal, making it more efficient for practitioners to obtain information of controlled substances and schedule 2-5 drugs that have been dispensed to patients.
Kim Gaedeke, deputy director of the Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), said the new laws “have strengthened our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.”
“The MAPS requirements combined with new patient protection measures will help us to better prevent and address substance use disorder in Michigan,” she said.
Additionally, health care providers are now required to counsel patients on the risks of opioids before prescribing and complete an informative “Start Talking” form when prescribing an opioid to patients.
MAPS is administered by LARA.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides resources for patients, health professionals and communities related to prevention and treatment of opioid abuse.
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