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In response to concerns from impacted individuals and consumer groups, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy has amended its proposed rules for the implementation of office-based opioid treatment.

According to a review of the proposed rules by Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative Office:

The Board determined that the appropriate revisions were made to remove some of the regulatory burden, while allowing the patient and public safety intent to remain. The rules help to ensure uniform and transparent regulations to promote health and safety of patients receiving office-based opioid treatment.

Amendments to the proposed rules include:

• A reduction on the minimum weekly hours requirement of the responsible person from 20 hours per week (or 50% at each facility) to 15 hours per week or 50% of the total hours the facility is open.
• Allowing some exemptions at the Board’s discretion;
• Removing the requirement that prohibited an individual from being the designated responsible person for more than one facility; and,
• Added clarification to the rules to aid in compliance.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 1948, 19th Floor, Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio.

Any person affected by these proposed rules may appear and present comment or opposition to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy during this public hearing. At this hearing you can appear person, by attorney, or both. You may present your position, arguments, or contentions orally or in writing. You may also offer witnesses and present evidence tending to show that any of the proposed rules will be unreasonable or unlawful.

If you are a physician and have concerns about your practice, or if you would like to know how these new rules may impact you, should consider contacting an attorney at Graff & McGovern, LPA, for a no-cost consultation. Levi Tkach is available to take your call at 614-228-5800, extension 4.