BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to prescription drug abuse; adding a new section to chapter 18.22 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.32 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.57 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.57A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.64 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.71 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.71A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.88 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.72 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 10.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.130 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Although illegal drug use continues to be a major social, public health, and criminal justice problem, the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs is also of growing concern. Costs to the health care system, as well as the loss to society in human dysfunction, misery, and lack of productivity cause prescription drug abuse to be a public policy concern in Washington state.

The legislature finds that an estimated four percent of hospital emergency room visits are probably prescription drug-seeking behavior, cost in millions of dollars per year, and straining an already-burdened health care delivery system. The illegal diversion and resale of prescription drugs on the street adds to drug abuse control problems for law enforcement and the health care system. Better education of prescribing health care professionals, pharmacists, and the public about the recognition and treatment of prescription drug abuse may help control the problem.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.22 RCW to read as follows:

PODIATRIC PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules under RCW 18.22.191 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under RCW 18.22.120 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 18.32 RCW to read as follows:

DENTISTS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a registration under RCW 18.32.180 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 18.57 RCW to read as follows:

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules under RCW 18.57.050 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under RCW 18.57.050 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 18.57A RCW to read as follows:

OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON ASSISTANTS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary of health shall adopt rules under RCW 18.57A.020 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under this chapter shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 18.64 RCW to read as follows:

PHARMACISTS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules under RCW 18.64.140 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under RCW 18.64.140 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 18.71 RCW to read as follows:

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules under RCW 18.71.080 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a registration under RCW 18.71.080 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 18.71A RCW to read as follows:

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. Persons licensed under this chapter shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules under RCW 18.71A.020 for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a registration under RCW 18.71A.020 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 18.88 RCW to read as follows:

NURSES‑-ADVANCED REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONERS. Persons licensed under this chapter who have prescriptive authority shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under RCW 18.88.190 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:

VETERINARIANS. Persons licensed under this chapter who have prescriptive authority shall complete continuing education on prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at risk patients. The secretary shall adopt rules for minimum standards for the continuing education curriculum and shall by rule set the number of hours of continuing education required by a licensee. A person renewing a license under RCW 18.92.140 shall present proof of compliance with the requirements of this section. All persons to whom this section applies must be in compliance with this section by December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The board of pharmacy shall analyze and report to the legislature by December 1, 1994, regarding the advisability of upgrading the present electronic data gathering system for prescription drugs. Further, the board of pharmacy shall explore the feasibility of forming a committee that will establish criteria and standards for reviewing the data gathered by such a system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:

Coverage under RCW 48.21.180 shall provide for coverage for treatment of a prescription drug abuse patient in the physician's office if part of a prescription drug abuse treatment program under the definition of approved treatment program, RCW 70.96A.020.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:

Coverage under RCW 48.44.240 shall provide for coverage for treatment of a prescription drug abuse patient in the physician's office if part of a prescription drug abuse treatment program under the definition of approved treatment program, RCW 70.96A.020.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:

Coverage under RCW 48.46.350 shall provide for coverage for treatment of a prescription drug abuse patient in the physician's office if part of a prescription drug abuse treatment program under the definition of approved treatment program, RCW 70.96A.020.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 43.72 RCW to read as follows:

The commission shall consider adding treatment for prescription drug abuse, under a multidisciplinary treatment model, to the uniform benefits package.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 10.05 RCW to read as follows:

Deferred prosecution under this chapter is available for prescription drug addiction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A new section is added to chapter 18.130 RCW to read as follows:

A new practitioner who enters a profession listed in sections 2 through 11 of this act who has prescriptive or dispensing authority shall be trained in prescriptive drug diversion and abuse prevention, including clinical methodology for identification of at-risk patients. Practitioners under this section have three years after the effective date of this act to be in compliance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. Captions used in this act do not constitute any part of the law.