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Who cares
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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to continuing medical education requirements for doctors, nurses and pharmacists
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6180
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to continuing medical education for doctors, nurses and pharmacists
Purpose
This bill requires that doctors, nurses, and pharmacists complete at least 3 hours of continuing education on opiate analgesics and psychotropic drugs each year.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 defines this bill as the Michael David Israel Physician Training Law.
Section 2 adds a new section to the education law that requires that all physicians complete three hours of continuing education on the prescription of opiate analgesics and psychotropic drugs and the risks of addiction to such drugs. Section 2 also defines opiate analgesics and psychotropic drugs.
Section 3 adds a new section to the education law that requires that all nurses complete three hours of continuing education on the prescription of opiate analgesics and psychotropic drugs and the risks of addiction to such drugs. Section 3 also defines opiate analgesics and psychotropic drugs.
Section 4 adds a new section to the education law that requires that at least 3 hours of a pharmacist's 45 hours of continuing education every 3 years be dedicated to courses on the prevention, treatment, and mitigation of opiate analgesics and psychotropic drug addiction.
Section 5 allows for prorated continuing education requirements for new pharmacists.
Section 6 is the enacting clause.
Justification
Michael David Israel, the son of Avi and Julie Israel, was one of many young people across New York State who battled with prescription drug abuse. On June 4, 2011 Michael David Israel tragically took his own life.
Michael's story is not a unique one. Nationally deaths from prescription opiates have tripled since 1999, and overdoses from prescription opiates now hospitalize more people each year than cocaine or heroin. Additionally, in a recent University at Buffalo study of 75 addicts, 41 percent reported their addiction began with medicine prescribed legally by their doctors.
The rate at which doctors are prescribing opiates is also alarming. In New York State 37 prescriptions are written for hydrocodone, fentanyl, and oxycodone for every 100 New Yorkers. In Western New York that rate is almost double, with 65 prescriptions being written for every 100 residents.
These statistics are concerning, and in some regards alarming. This bill would require medical professionals to continue to receive training and education on the dangers of opiate abuse and addiction as well as strategies to migrate patients from highly addictive pain management solutions to lower risk pain management solutions.
As new drugs and strategies continue to be developed, it is important that medical professionals stay up to date on this growing epidemic.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.