North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 61 - Pharmacy, Board of
Article 61-04 - Professional Practice
Chapter 61-04-12 - Limited Prescriptive Authority for Opioid Antagonists
Section 61-04-12-02 - Pharmacists furnishing opioid antagonists

Universal Citation: ND Admin Code ยง 61-04-12-02

Current through Supplement No. 394, October, 2024

1. Protocol.

a. Pharmacists are authorized to furnish opioid antagonist drug therapy solely in accordance with the written protocol for opioid antagonist drug therapy approved by the board.

b. Any pharmacist exercising prescriptive authority for opioid antagonist drug therapy shall maintain a current copy of the written protocol for opioid antagonist drug therapy approved by the board.

2. Procedure. When a patient requests an opioid antagonist, or when a pharmacist in his or her professional judgment decides to advise of the availability and appropriateness of an opioid antagonist, the pharmacist shall complete the following steps:

a. Screen for the following conditions:
(1) Whether the potential recipient currently uses or has a history of using illicit or prescription opioids (if yes, skip to subdivision b and continue with procedure);

(2) Whether the potential recipient is in contact with anyone who uses or has a history of using illicit or prescription opioids (if yes, continue with procedure); and

(3) Whether the person to whom the opioid antagonist would be administered has a known hypersensitivity to opioid antagonist (if yes, do not furnish).

b. Provide training in opioid overdose prevention, recognition, response, and administration of the antidote opioid antagonist.

c. When an opioid antagonist is furnished:
(1) The pharmacist shall provide the patient with appropriate patient information and counseling on the product furnished, including dosing, effectiveness, adverse effects, storage conditions, shelf-life, and safety. A pharmacist furnishing an opioid antagonist drug therapy may not permit the patient to whom the drug is furnished to waive the patient information required by the board.

(2) The pharmacist shall provide the patient with any resources and referrals to appropriate resources if the patient indicates interest in addiction treatment, recovery services, or medication disposal resources at this time.

(3) The pharmacist shall answer all questions the recipient may have regarding an opioid antagonist.

3. Authorized drugs.

a. Prescriptive authority is limited to all opioid antagonists and includes any device approved for the administration of an opioid antagonist.

b. Those administering an opioid antagonist should choose the route of administration based on the formulation available, how well they can administer it, the setting, and local context.

4. Education and training. Prior to furnishing an opioid antagonist, pharmacists who participate in this protocol shall successfully complete a minimum of one hour of an approved continuing education program specific to the use of an opioid antagonist, or an equivalent curriculum-based training program completed in a board-recognized school of pharmacy.

5. Records. The prescribing pharmacist must generate a written or electronic prescription for any opioid antagonist dispensed and the pharmacist shall record themselves as the prescriber or the protocol practitioner if appropriate. Documentation shall be made in a medication record for the patient. The prescription shall be kept on file and maintained for five years as required in North Dakota Century Code section 43-15-31.

6. Notification. If the patient is the potential individual to whom the opioid antagonist will be administered, the pharmacist shall notify the patient's primary care provider of any drugs and devices furnished, or enter the appropriate information in a record system shared with the primary care provider.

If the patient does not have a primary care provider, the pharmacist shall provide a written record of the drugs and devices furnished and advise the patient to consult an appropriate health care provider of the patient's choice.

General Authority: NDCC 43-15-10

Law Implemented: NDCC 23-01-42, 43-15-10(23)

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. North Dakota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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