What's happening
This bill requires opioid prescription bottles in New York to include a warning label stating the drug is highly addictive.
Why it matters
Raises patient awareness of opioid risks. By requiring a clear, standardized warning label about addiction, this bill ensures that patients are directly informed about the dangers of opioid use each time they receive a prescription, which could influence their decisions and usage patterns.
Promotes communication with healthcare providers. The mandatory label specifically urges patients to consult their pharmacist or physician, potentially increasing the likelihood that patients will seek guidance on safe usage, alternatives, or ways to manage pain without opioids.
Supports broader public health efforts to combat opioid addiction. By making addiction warnings a routine part of opioid dispensing, the law reinforces state initiatives to reduce opioid misuse and may help prevent new cases of addiction by encouraging caution and informed use.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Opioid Bottles Must Warn
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Opioid Warning Labels Required
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Edward Braunstein
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4483
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 13, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to labeling prescription bottles of opioids
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 3333 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) In addition to the other requirements of this subdivision, where the controlled substance being dispensed is an opioid, there shall be affixed to the container a label upon which is indelibly typed, printed, or otherwise legibly written "Warning. This drug is highly addictive. Please consult your pharmacist or physician before using."
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01770-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to labeling prescription bottles of opioids
Purpose
This bill will require manufacturers and software companies that prepare labels for prescription drugs, which are approved by the state, to contain a warning regarding the addictive properties of opioid drugs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - amends subdivision 2 of section 3333 of the Public Health Law to add a new paragraph (d) providing that a new warning must be added to labels of opioid drugs -- "Warning. This drug is highly addic- tive. Please consult your pharmacist or physician before using."
Section 2 - provides that this act shall take effect ninety days after it shall have become law, and provides that any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Justification
The social and personal cost of opioid addiction is a critical issue for New York State, and indeed for the entire country. This bill simply provides a clear warning to patients that have been prescribed opioid drugs that the over-use of these drugs can lead to addiction. Hopefully such warning will help patients to be careful not to utilize these drugs any more than is absolutely necessary.
Legislative history
2016 - S.7839/A.10356 -- HEALTH/Health 2017 - S.5443/A.7460 -- RULES/Health 2018 - S.5443/A.7460 -- HEALTH/Health
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
See Section 2 above. OPIOID DRUG WARNING LABEL Updated: 3/12/2019
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.