Section 08.64.363 - Maximum dosage for opioid prescriptions(a) A licensee may not issue(1) an initial prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to an adult patient for outpatient use;(2) a prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to a minor; at the time a licensee writes a prescription for an opioid for a minor, the licensee shall discuss with the parent or guardian of the minor why the prescription is necessary and the risks associated with opioid use.(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a licensee may issue a prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to an adult or minor patient if, in the professional medical judgment of the licensee, more than a seven-day supply of an opioid is necessary for(1) the patient's acute medical condition, chronic pain management, pain associated with cancer, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the patient's medical condition, chronic pain, pain associated with cancer, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the condition triggering the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition;(2) a patient who is unable to access a practitioner within the time necessary for a refill of the seven-day supply because of a logistical or travel barrier; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the patient for the time that the patient is unable to access a practitioner; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the reason for the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition; in this paragraph, "practitioner" has the meaning given in AS 11.71.900; or(3) the treatment of a patient's substance abuse or opioid dependence; the licensee may write a prescription for an opioid approved for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence for the quantity needed to treat the patient's substance abuse or opioid dependence; the licensee shall document in the patient's medical record the reason for the prescription of an opioid approved for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence.(c) In this section,(1) "adult" means(A) an individual who has reached 18 years of age; or(B) an emancipated minor;(2) "emancipated minor" means a minor whose disabilities have been removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590;(3) "minor" means an individual under 18 years of age who is not an emancipated minor.Added by SLA 2017SP2, ch. 2,sec. 16, eff. 7/25/2017.