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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 20, 2016 04:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Gene Yaw |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Prescribing Opioids to Patients |
| Earlier this month, I introduced legislation to address the increasing risk of children becoming addicted to opioids and heroin after being prescribed painkillers for medical procedures. I plan on introducing a similar bill that will apply for all patients, regardless of age. The legislation will require a health care professional to receive written consent from a patient in order to prescribe a medical treatment containing opioids, as well as to discuss the risks of addiction and dangers of an overdose associated with the medication. The bill would limit the prescription for a controlled substance containing an opioid to seven-days unless there is a medical emergency that puts the patients’ health or safety at risk. This legislation is part of a comprehensive approach to fighting the ongoing heroin and opioid addiction crisis in Pennsylvania. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB1349