AN ACT Relating to restrictions on prescriptions for opioid drugs; and adding a new section to chapter 69.41 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 69.41 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, when issuing a prescription for an opioid drug to a patient for the first time for outpatient use:

(a) A practitioner may not issue a prescription for more than a seven-day supply; and

(b) A dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW may not issue a prescription for more than a three-day supply.

(2) If, in the professional medical judgment of a practitioner, more than a seven-day supply of an opioid drug is required to treat a patient's acute medical condition, as determined by the practitioner, or is necessary for the treatment of chronic pain, the treatment of pain associated with a cancer diagnoses, or for palliative care, then the practitioner may issue a prescription for the quantity needed to treat the acute medical condition, chronic pain, pain associated with a cancer diagnosis, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care. The condition triggering the prescription of an opioid drug for more than a seven-day supply must be documented in the patient's medical record, and the practitioner shall indicate that an alternative to the opioid drug was not appropriate to address the medical condition.

(3) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Opioid drug" has the same meaning as "opiate" in RCW 69.50.101. It does not include opioid overdose medications or medications approved by the federal food and drug administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

(b) "Practitioner" means a health care practitioner, other than a dentist licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW, who is authorized to prescribe opioid drugs.

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