House unanimously passes bill that aims to slash wait times for prescribed opioid recovery drugs

When someone suffering from opioid use disorder decides to get help, the clock starts ticking immediately.

“The withdrawal is the worst part and that’s what’s preventing people from getting help,” said Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar).

He sponsors HF4493 that would allow pharmacists who complete training to initiate, prescribe, dispense and administer drugs to treat opioid use disorder, including drugs in Schedule III, IV or V of the controlled substances schedule.

Passed unanimously by the House Monday it now goes to the Senate.

Currently, Baker said, it can take weeks to receive “lifesaving” drugs to treat symptoms of withdrawal because those drugs need to be proscribed by a doctor and people often relapse in that time.

Pharmacists are often the health care providers people see the most, especially in rural areas like Willmar, where Baker resides. “Medically assisted treatments have proven time and time again that having that access to that right at the time you need it is life changing.”

The bill would require pharmacists to go through federally mandated eight-hour training before they could initiate any treatment for opioid disorder. And they would be required to counsel a patient before dispensing any drugs.

Quick access to drugs like buprenorphine, commonly known as Suboxone, wasn’t available when Baker’s son, Dan, died of an overdose 15 years ago. The lawmaker said his bill will “save a lot of lives” and may be the best bill he has ever carried.

Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley) concurred, calling it “a life-or-death bill for many people who are seeking substance use disorder treatment and can’t get it in a timely fashion.”