DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1054 Original 2016 Regular Session Hunter
Abstract: Requires that prescribing of certain controlled dangerous substances occur by exclusive
means of electronic prescription orders, and provides for functions of the state's prescription
monitoring program.
Present law provides that except in certain emergency situations, no Schedule II controlled dangerous
substance may be dispensed or administered without either a written prescription or an electronic
prescription order as provided by federal law or regulation.
Proposed law deletes the authorization for written prescriptions for Schedule II controlled dangerous
substances, thereby requiring that prescribing of these medications occur by exclusive means of
electronic prescription orders. Provides that this requirement for electronic prescribing of Schedule
II controlled dangerous substances exclusively shall become enforceable on January 1, 2018.
Proposed law provides for legislative findings relative to prescribing of controlled substances.
Present law requires the La. Board of Pharmacy to establish and maintain a prescription monitoring
program for the monitoring of controlled substances and other drugs of concern. Provides that the
goal of the program is to improve the state's ability to identify and inhibit the diversion of controlled
substances and drugs in an efficient and cost-effective manner and in a manner that shall not impede
the appropriate utilization of these drugs for legitimate medical purposes.
Proposed law retains present law relative to the prescription monitoring program and adds thereto
a requirement that the program's electronic monitoring system facilitate access on a real-time basis
to prescription monitoring information by the persons who are authorized by the provisions of
present law to obtain such information.
Present law establishes and provides for duties of a prescription monitoring program advisory
council.
Proposed law retains present law relative to the prescription monitoring program advisory council
and adds thereto an authorization for the council to serve as an advisory body to the La. Board of
Pharmacy, to the office of the governor, and to the legislature on matters relating to prescribing of
controlled substances that include, without limitation, the following:
(1)Best practices and programs for continuing education for prescribers and pharmacists on pain
management. (2)Statewide implementation of and ongoing compliance by prescribers with the provisions of
proposed law requiring that dispensing or administering of a Schedule II controlled
dangerous substance may only occur pursuant to an electronic prescription order.
(Amends R.S. 40:978(A), 1002, and 1004(C); Adds R.S. 40:1004(D) and 1005(D))