Sec. 481.0762. MONITORING BY REGULATORY AGENCY. (a) Each regulatory agency that issues a license, certification, or registration to a prescriber shall promulgate specific guidelines for prescribers regulated by that agency for the responsible prescribing of opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol.

(b) A regulatory agency that issues a license, certification, or registration to a prescriber shall periodically access the information submitted to the board under Sections 481.074(q) and 481.075 to determine whether a prescriber is engaging in potentially harmful prescribing patterns or practices.

(c) If the board sends a prescriber an electronic notification authorized under Section 481.0761(i), the board shall immediately send an electronic notification to the appropriate regulatory agency.

(d) In determining whether a potentially harmful prescribing pattern or practice is occurring, the appropriate regulatory agency, at a minimum, shall consider:

(1) the number of times a prescriber prescribes opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol; and

(2) for prescriptions described by Subdivision (1), patterns of prescribing combinations of those drugs and other dangerous combinations of drugs identified by the board.

(e) If, during a periodic check under this section, the regulatory agency finds evidence that a prescriber may be engaging in potentially harmful prescribing patterns or practices, the regulatory agency may notify that prescriber.

(f) A regulatory agency may open a complaint against a prescriber if the agency finds evidence during a periodic check under this section that the prescriber is engaging in conduct that violates this subchapter or any other statute or rule.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 485 (H.B. 2561), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2017.