08/21/2017
State Board of Pharmacy Delays Implementation of Prescribing Rules
Ohio ACEP remains concerned about these cumbersome documentation requirements
In March, Gov. John Kasich announced new rules limiting the prescribing of opioids for acute pain. One of those new rules requires prescribers to include the first four characters of the ICD-10 diagnosis code on all opioid prescriptions. The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy has delayed implementation of this rule until December 29, 2017. ICD-10 diagnosis codes will be required on all prescriptions for a controlled substance starting June 1, 2018.
The other portions of the new prescribing rules went into effect, as originally scheduled, on August 31, 2017 including:
- Limits on initial prescriptions to 7 days for adults and 5 days for minors
- Prohibition on extended release prescriptions
- Requirement for additional documentation for a prescription lasting longer than the specified limit, including a clinical justification for the extended prescription
- Mandate that the prescriber provide patient with education on opioids
For more information on the new prescribing rules, check out this information sheet from the State Board of Pharmacy.
Ohio ACEP and several other medical associations have actively opposed portions of the new rules, particularly the rule requiring ICD-10 codes on prescriptions for controlled substances, which will create substantial administrative burdens and barriers to providing patients with the best possible care. Rather than eliminate that rule, the Pharmacy Board instead delayed its implementation and will now require only the first four characters rather than the full ICD-10 code. We remain concerned about this rule and that the delay in implementation will still not allow sufficient time for compliance.
As Ohio ACEP continues to push for sensible changes to these rules, stay tuned to future editions of the Advocacy Update for the latest developments.