SB2535: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-PRESCRIBE

Legislative Summary

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. In a provision regarding dispensing opioid antagonists, provides that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensed pharmacist shall (rather than may) dispense an opioid antagonist in accordance with written, standardized procedures or protocols developed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Services and filed at the pharmacy. Provides that before dispensing an opioid a pharmacist shall inform patients that opioids are addictive and offer to dispense an opioid antagonist. Deletes language concerning a training program approved by the Department of Human Services for pharmacists to complete before dispensing an opioid. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that prescribers who issue a prescription for an opioid shall inform the patient that opioids are addictive and that opioid antagonists are available by prescription or from a pharmacy. Provides that in a hospital or institution licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, all prescribers of an opioid shall inform the patient that opioids are addictive and that opioid antagonists are available by prescription or from a pharmacy. Provides that upon discharge any patient who has overdosed on controlled substances shall be provided with an opioid antagonist. Provides that if the patient is not able to pay for the opioid antagonist, then the State of Illinois shall reimburse the hospital for the opioid antagonist from federal grant funds to address substance use disorder or other State funds for the same purpose. Adds an effective date provision of January 1, 2022.