New Prescribing Law Requires Discussion of Non-Opioid Options

Before prescribing opioids to a patient for the first time, doctors in Nevada must now review the patient’s prescription drug monitoring report and discuss non-narcotic treatment options, under a state law that took effect on Jan. 1. The practitioner must also perform a patient risk assessment, which includes reviewing the patient’s medical history, conducting a physical examination and assessing the patient’s mental health and risk of abuse, addiction and dependency. The requirements apply to prescriptions of Schedule II, III or IV controlled substances for the tr...