Relates to certain mandatory medical education requirements

3 Co-sponsors

• Mark Grisanti
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Jack M. Martins

BILL NUMBER:S2861A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law and the public health law, in relation to certain mandatory medical education

Purpose

To require certain prescribers of prescription pain medication to complete mandatory coursework or training relating to opiate-dependent patients.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends the education law to add a new section that requires certain prescribers of prescription pain medication to complete mandatory coursework or training relating to opiate-dependent patients.

Section 2 of the bill amends the public health law to require the work group established pursuant to section 52 of part D of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2012 to report certain recommendations to the commissioner of health relating to the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients.

Section 3 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20% of physicians are responsible for prescribing 80% of all prescription pain killers. Further, a recent study shows that 3% of physicians account for over 60% of prescription pain killers. This data indicates that a small number of prescribers are responsible for the bulk of prescription drug prescriptions. Consequently, prescribers whose practice includes significant prescriptions for pain killers should know about the potential for addiction and the proper treatment and management of patients that have become dependent on prescription pain killers.

This legislation addresses this problem by requiring certain prescribers to complete, on a onetime basis, coursework or training relating to the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients that is provided by highly-regarded organizations such as the American Medical Association. By doing so, this legislation establishes a safeguard for patients struggling with chronic pain and helps ensure that such patients are receiving the best course of treatment for their condition.

Further, medical education is also valuable in preparing physicians for emerging challenges in the medical field. To that end, in 2012, New York State enacted laws that start to address the growing crisis of prescription drug abuse associated with chronic care pain management. Given the addictive nature of certain prescription drugs, their use in treatment has the potential to lead to addiction. In 2012, NYS created an expert-level work group to make recommendations on possible medical education relating to prescription pain medication awareness. This was a critical step in solving this developing crisis.

Because the potential for addiction exists when prescription drugs are used in pain management, the work group should also provide recommendations on mandatory education for the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients. By providing the work group with the authority to make recommendations on this aspect of the treatment of chronic pain, this legislation further promotes the best possible care for patients struggling with this condition.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become a law.