Massachusetts General Laws ch. 94C sec. 19D – Supply limitations for opiate prescriptions; exception for palliative care
Section 19D. (a) When issuing a prescription for an opiate to an adult patient for outpatient use for the first time, a practitioner shall not issue a prescription for more than a 7–day supply. A practitioner shall not issue an opiate prescription to a minor for more than a 7–day supply at any time and shall discuss with the parent or guardian of the minor the risks associated with opiate use and the reasons why the prescription is necessary.
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 94C sec. 19D
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), if, in the professional medical judgment of a practitioner, more than a 7–day supply of an opiate is required to treat the adult or minor patient’s acute medical condition or is necessary for the treatment of chronic pain management, pain associated with a cancer diagnoses or for palliative care, then the practitioner may issue a prescription for the quantity needed to treat such acute medical condition, chronic pain, pain associated with a cancer diagnosis or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care. The condition triggering the prescription of an opiate for more than a 7–day supply shall be documented in the patient’s medical record and the practitioner shall indicate that a non-opiate alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition.
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and subsection (b), this section shall not apply to medications designed for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence.