Establishes a prescription pain medication awareness program within the department of health

Summary of provisions

Section one amends Public Health Law (PHL) §3309-a to establish a Prescription pain medication awareness program within the Department of Health (DOH). This program shall educate the public and health care practitioners about the risks associated with the use of controlled substance pain medications. Within the amounts appropriated, the commissioner shall develop and conduct a media campaign designed to alert youth, parents and the general population about the risks associated with prescription pain medications and the need to properly dispose of any unused medications. This campaign shall include an informational website.

This section also requires the establishment of a work group composed of experts in the fields of palliative and chronic pain management, and addiction medicine. The work group shall development recommendations and model courses for continuing medical education, refresher courses and other training materials for licensed health care professionals regarding the use of prescription pain medication. No later than January 1, 2013, the work group shall provide outreach and assistance to health care professional organizations to encourage and facilitate continuing medical education training programs for their members. The work group shall also provide information to the commissioner for use in the development and continued update of the public awareness campaign.

The commissioner shall report to the governor, the temporary president of the Senate and the speaker of the Assembly no later than March 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, on the work group's findings. This report shall include information on opioid overdose deaths, emergency room utilization of for the treatment of opioid overdose, the utilization of pre-hospital addiction services and recommendations to reduce opioid addiction and the consequences thereof.

Section two provides that the act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

New York State, like the rest of the nation, faces a prescription drug abuse crisis. Prescription drugs are being abused more than any other drug. with the exception of marijuana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every 19 minutes, one person dies from an accidental overdose or suicide as a result of prescription drug abuse. While prescription pain killers have highly addictive and dangerous qualities, they also provide much needed relief to individuals suffering from chronic illnesses. Therefore, it is important to provide a balanced solution to this crisis.

The current lack of education, awareness and training in the area of prescription drug use was a resonating theme at the recent roundtable discussions held by the Senate Standing Committee on Health. There is a common misconception amongst the general public that because prescription pain medications are prescribed by doctors and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they are safe. Such misconception illustrates the need for a public awareness program and media campaign to educate the public on the risks associated with prescription pain medications, the need to respect prescription medications and to watch for signs of abuse. Further, national surveys demonstrate that nearly 70% of prescription pain medication abusers get there drugs from a family member or friend. Thus, demonstrating the need to educate the public on the importance of disposing unused medications, and the means by which this can be done.

Another issue that is frequently raised as contributing to the prescription drug abuse crisis is the lack of education and training in proper prescribing practices among professionals. Instances are raised in which doctors have legitimate concerns that result in either over-prescribing or under prescribing these medications. The work group established herein will study, develop and recommend model courses for continuing medical education, refresher courses and other training programs. The work group will assist and encourage health care professionals to use these materials and the commissioner of Health shall make this information available to medical schools.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.