Governor Hassan Applauds Board of Medicine for Adopting Emergency Rules to Combat Opioid Crisis

Statement

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement applauding the Board of Medicine's vote to adopt emergency rules to help stem the tide of opioid addiction:

"I thank the Board of Medicine and physicians for working with my office and the Department of Justice to update rules on the prescribing of opioids, and I applaud their courage in swiftly adopting important reforms, including requiring a detailed informed consent form and eliminating the reference to a statement that opioids aren't addictive."

The emergency measures adopted by the Board of Medicine today include ensuring that patients have informed consent about the risks of opioids, that physicians comply with federal guidelines for best practices on the prescribing of opioids, and that for patients with chronic pain: physicians conduct a thorough risk assessment using an evidenced-based screening tool, create a treatment plan, a written pain agreement, conduct periodic review and follow up, and conduct appropriate toxicology screenings.

"The Board of Medicine's action, along with the Executive Council's approval of my call today for a special legislative session on substance abuse, is important progress in our continued efforts to strengthen the state's response to the heroin and opioid epidemic. I look forward to continuing to work with members from both parties, physicians, other prescribers, patients and all stakeholders on a comprehensive legislative package to combat the substance abuse crisis and help save lives, including additional efforts to develop stronger, more explicit and more up-to-date rules on the prescribing of opioids."

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