WSR 15-06-016

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed February 23, 2015, 10:25 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-470 WAC, Prescription monitoring program (PMP), opening the chapter for possible updates and revisions pursuant to SSB 5679.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.225.020, 70.225.025, SSB 5679 (chapter 30, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The chapter is being reviewed per SSB 5679 to consider updating PMP rules. SSB 5679 directs the department of health and other state agencies to establish a formal review process of existing rules every five years to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses without compromising public health and safety. Possible amendments may include, but are not limited to, reporting frequency by dispensers, adding more data requirements for dispensers to report, clarifying parental/guardian access, adding delegates for pharmacists, and clarifying the storage of data from the program into patient medical records. Other revisions may be considered to make rules clearer and help reduce abuse of controlled substances.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None identified.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Persons interested in participating in the rule process or receiving updates can contact the Washington state prescription monitoring office through listserv at PRESCRIPTION-MONITORING@LISTSERV.WA.GOV, send a fax to (360) 236-2901, or by mail to PMP, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852. You can also e-mail the program at prescriptionmonitoring@doh.wa.gov or contact by phone (360) 236-4806.

February 20, 2015

Dennis E. Worsham

Deputy Secretary

for John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary