Write in to Rhode Island Senate Health and Human Services Committee members to support S2784

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Please email the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and urge them to vote S2784 requiring a conversation between prescribers and patients upon third prescription or second refill of an opioid-based painkiller out of Committee. You can click on their addresses below. A Sample email is provided as well
Senator Joshua Miller , Chair: sen-miller @rilegislature.gov

Senator Gayle l. Goldin, Vice-Chair: [email protected]

Senator Jeanine Calkin: [email protected]

Senator Elizabeth Crowley: [email protected]

Senator Thomas J. Paolino [email protected]

Senator Adam J Satchell: [email protected]

Senator James Sheehan: [email protected]

Senator Sosnowski: [email protected]

Sample Email

I urge you to vote S2784, requiring a conversation between prescriber and patient on 3rd prescription or second refill, out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Research shows that as people move into second and third prescriptions, the probabilities of becoming addicted to the medication substantially increases.

This common sense prevention measure builds on the state law adopted last year requiring a conversation between prescriber and patient before an opioid is first prescribed to discuss the potential risks of addiction as well as alternative treatment where the prescriber deems appropriate. It is essential to require it because in too many cases these discussions were not occurring and people received this highly addictive medication with no real warning or guidance.

This bill is championed by Prevent Opiate Abuse RI, a national organization working to educate patients and parents about the risks of opioid-based painkillers and the available non-opioid alternatives. Please support a floor vote for this life-saving legislation that can help curb Rhode Island’s opioid addiction epidemic.

Sincerely,

New Rhode Island Laws Aimed at Combating Opioid Epidemic

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed three bills into law aimed at combating Rhode Island’s opioid epidemic.

The legislation allows law enforcement access to an electronic database of prescription painkillers without a warrant; requires health care professionals to discuss the risks of addiction with patients when writing opioid prescriptions; and expands the type of pharmaceuticals that can be prescribed using electronic prescriptions, while ensuring patient privacy.

Read complete article here.

Senate passes Archambault legislation that requires prescribers to discuss opioid risks

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STATE HOUSE — The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) that would require health care professionals to discuss the dangers of opioid addiction before prescribing the medication.

“We’re battling a lethal epidemic that is killing more people a year than motor vehicle crashes,” said Senator Archambault. “More than 52,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2015 — and 63 percent of those deaths involved an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The legislation (2017-S 0493A) would require that a health care professional authorized to issue prescriptions, prior to issuing an initial prescription for an opioid drug, discuss with the patient who is 18 years of age or older or the patient’s parent or guardian if the patient is under 18, specifically the risks of developing a dependence or addiction on the prescription opioid drug and potential of overdose or death, the adverse risks of concurrent use of alcohol or other psychoactive medications.

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