The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 371 Original 2020 Regular Session Carter
Present law provides that a pharmacist shall not dispense more than a 10-day supply of an opioid
derivative Schedule II or Schedule III controlled dangerous substance when the prescriber is not
licensed by the state of Louisiana. Proposed law retains present law and adds a prohibition on the
pharmacist dispensing more than a seven-day supply to an opioid naive patient. Proposed law defines
"opioid naive" as a patient who has not taken an opioid prescription medication within sixty days.
Proposed law relative to prescribers not licensed by the state of Louisiana does not apply to patients
with a diagnosis of cancer or terminal illness.
Present law prohibits more than a seven-day supply of a first-time opioid prescription for outpatient
use to an adult with an acute condition. Proposed law retains present law and adds the prohibition
to patients that are opioid naive. Proposed law relative to first-time opioid prescriptions does not
apply to patients with a diagnosis of cancer or terminal illness.
Proposed law requires a prescriber to consult with a patient regarding the quantity of opioid
prescribed and the risks associated with the opioid prescription. Proposed law retains present law
and adds a requirement that the prescriber determine whether the patient is opioid naive by reviewing
the patient's record in the prescription monitoring program.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 40:978(E)(1), (G)(1)(a) and (3), and (H)(1)(intro para); adds R.S. 40:978(E)(4),
(G)(4), (H)(1)(c), and (I))