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House approves controlled-substances prescription change for chronic patients
Summary
House Bill 128 would let physicians issue up to three 30-day prescriptions for schedule II controlled substances for chronic conditions, with safeguards to reduce abuse; sponsor called it a consensus bill supported by medical and pharmaceutical associations.
Representative Eli Anderson presented House Bill 128 to permit physicians, where appropriate, to issue three 30-day prescriptions for a schedule II controlled substance covering a 90-day period (divided into three 30-day prescriptions). Anderson said the change helps chronic patients who otherwise would need a monthly physician visit or would pay for unnecessary visits.
To minimize abuse, the bill includes safeguards: no single prescription may exceed a 30-day supply, each prescription must include the issue date and a date for dispensing that does not overlap other prescriptions. Anderson contrasted HB 128 with other states that allow a single 90-day prescription: HB 128 divides the coverage into three 30-day prescriptions to reduce abuse and align with insurance payment practices.
Anderson said the bill passed committee on consensus and is supported by the Utah Medical Association, Utah Pharmaceutical Association, and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The House recorded a unanimous or near-unanimous committee vote and the House floor referred the bill to the Senate for further consideration.
