For Prescribers

On June 5th, 2017, Governor Doug Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency, and an enhanced Surveillance Advisory, in response to the opioid overdose epidemic in Arizona. The Declaration of Emergency called for a statewide effort to reduce opioid deaths in the state. In relation to prescribers, the bill initiates emergency rulemaking to develop rules for opioid prescribing and guidelines to educate healthcare providers on responsible prescribing practices.

Controlled Prescription Monitoring Program

The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) grants access to prescribers and pharmacists so they may review controlled substance dispensing information for patients. Access is granted to individuals only—not to clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, or any other health care facility. Beginning April 26, 2018, new laws go into effect regarding the prescribing and dispensing of opioids in the state of Arizona. Additionally, dispensing pharmacists are required to review the PMP record of a patient receiving a schedule II controlled substance for the preceding 12 months.

The Arizona Board of Pharmacy has completed the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program training videos with the help of Arizona Department of Health Services. These training videos were made to help health care professionals register for PMP database use, look up patient records, and understand the patient's report. The training also teaches prescribers how to use the PMP to monitor and be reassured that the prescriptions filled were those written by the prescriber.

Mid-Level Exception Request

To increase the capacity to provide medication services for opioid use disorder treatment within an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), an exemption process authorized under 42 CFR Part 8.11 allows for OTPs to request the Single State Authority (SSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to provide approval to authorize Mid-Level Practitioners to treat individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder. Request forms must be submitted to the State Opioid Treatment Authority for initial approval and then processed to CSAT for final approval.

OAR Line: Opioid Assistance + Referral Line for Arizona Providers: 1-888-688-4222.

Arizona has now launched one of the nation’s first 24/7 hotlines providing free, realtime consultations for clinicians with complex patients with pain and opioid use disorders, staffed by experts at the Poison and Drug Information Centers in Arizona.

Buprenorphine Training

Under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act 2000 (DATA 2000), medical practitioners required to complete specialized training to qualify for a waiver to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine. Training courses include; legislation, pharmacology, safety and patient assessment. Training Websites Include;

  • American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine