Relates to maintenance of licensure for prescribers of controlled substances

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends the education law to add a new section 6505-d that provides for the development of coursework or training relating to the treatment and management of patients to whom controlled substances are prescribed.

Such coursework or training will be developed by a work group established by the Department of Education Office of Professions and will address required content areas, curricula, and outcomes measurement methods. The content may include areas such as managing acute pain, managing addiction, identification of addiction, intervention for at risk behavior, dosing, opiod pain management, prescribing guidelines, and referrals.

Once developed, the Office of Professions shall take actions to obtain accreditation for the course. The course may be provided by various organizations including the State, specialty medical boards, medical organizations, and state medical schools. Prescribers will be required to take 3 hours of coursework and high volume prescribers must complete 8 hours of coursework.

Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

Continuing medical education (CME) is invaluable in preparing physicians for emerging challenges in the medical field. To that end, in 2012, New York State enacted the Internet. System for Tracking Over Prescribing (I-STOP) law to start to address the growing crisis of prescription drug abuse. One element of the I-STOP law that has yet to be acted upon are recommendations for medical education. Given the addictive nature of certain prescription drugs and the various tragedies across the country associated with them, New York can no longer wait to establish CME requirements for prescribers of controlled substances.

To solve this problem, this legislation establishes an expert-level work group to develop coursework and training for prescribers that will address areas such as managing acute pain, managing addiction, identification of addiction, intervention for at risk behavior, dosing, opiod pain management, prescribing guidelines, and referrals. For ease and convenience for prescribers, the course will be aligned with existing CME requirements for prescribers. Once developed, accreditation for the course must be pursued. Further, to ensure the greatest access to such a course, this legislation permits the course to be offered by several diffeient entities and organizations,

including state medical schools, specialty medical boards, and medical associations.

In general, prescribers will be required to successfully complete three hours of coursework in order to maintain their professional licensure. For high volume prescribers, eight hours of coursework will be required. 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 this small number of prescribers require a more hours of coursework in this area since they are responsible for writing the majority of prescription drug prescriptions.

The benefits of the I-STOP law will only be fully realized if CME recommendations are fully implemented. By establishing a proper CME course for prescribers, this legislation will be effective in addressing the prescription drug crisis by properly educating prescribers on the treatment and management of patients to whom controlled substances are prescribed.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.