Oklahoma Requires CME for Prescribers

Many states have taken the cue from the federal government and started their own investigation and research into opioids and the way opioids affect their particular state. Recently, Oklahoma joined the ranks of the states who have not just looked into the situation, but also went so far as to pass legislation to stymy the state’s opioid epidemic. One of the pieces of legislation passed was Senate Bill 1446, which asks the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to require continuing medical education (CME) for prescribers on opioid abuse and misuse, and also restricts initial prescriptions for opioids to a seven day supply. With respect to the CME requirement, the legislation requires that “The Board shall require that the licensee receive not less than one hour of education in pain management or one hour of education in opioid use or addiction each year preceding an application for renewal of a license, unless the licensee has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the licensee does not currently hold a valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number.” Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter commended the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate for working in a bipartisan fashion to pass all the legislation requested by the state’s Commission on Opioid Abuse. “I appreciate the members of the legislature for their decisive action this session on the recommendations by the Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse,” Hunter ...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs