What is Act 112?
Act 112 of 2019 requires prescribers in Pennsylvania to educate their patients and establish treatment agreements with their patients before issuing the first prescription in a single course of treatment for chronic pain with a controlled substance containing an opioid.
Act 112 of 2019 requires prescribers to:
- Assess whether the patient has taken or is currently taking a prescription drug for treatment of a substance use disorder.
- Counsel the patient on treatment goals, expectations, benefits, and risks.
- Obtain the consent of the patient for targeted urine testing.
- Include the brand name or generic name, quantity and initial dose of the controlled substance medication containing an opioid being prescribed.
- Ensure the patient understands the prescriber and patient treatment responsibilities and the prescribing policies of the practice.
- Ensure the patient understands that a controlled substance medication containing an opioid has a potential for abuse, the associated risks of addiction and overdose, increased risk factors of addiction, the dangers of taking a controlled substance medication containing an opioid with benzodiazepines, alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, and other information deemed appropriate by the prescriber under 21 CFR 201.57(c)(18).
- Discuss the efficacy, risks, and benefits of other treatment options; if applicable.
View the Temporary Regulations for Act 112 of 2019 (submitted for publication in the PA Bulletin on March 7, 2020, subject to change).
Resources
For Prescribers:
- Sample Treatment Agreement
- Requirements of Act 112 and Considerations for Prescribers
- Act 112 Questions and Answers
- Act 112 of 2019 Treatment Agreement Checklist
For Patients:
