Section 333.7333a - Electronic monitoring system.
PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 368 of 1978
333.7333a Electronic monitoring system.
Sec. 7333a.
(1) The department shall establish, by rule, an electronic system for monitoring schedule 2, 3, 4, and 5 controlled substances dispensed in this state by veterinarians, and by pharmacists and dispensing prescribers licensed under part 177 or dispensed to an address in this state by a pharmacy licensed in this state. The rules shall provide an appropriate electronic format for the reporting of data including, but not limited to, patient identifiers, the name of the controlled substance dispensed, date of dispensing, quantity dispensed, prescriber, and dispenser. The department shall require a veterinarian, pharmacist, or dispensing prescriber to utilize the electronic data transmittal process developed by the department or the department's contractor. A veterinarian, pharmacist, or dispensing prescriber shall not be required to pay a new fee dedicated to the operation of the electronic monitoring system and shall not incur any additional costs solely related to the transmission of data to the department. The rules promulgated under this subsection shall exempt both of the following circumstances from the reporting requirements:
(a) The administration of a controlled substance directly to a patient.
(b) The dispensing from a health facility or agency licensed under article 17 of a controlled substance by a dispensing prescriber in a quantity adequate to treat a patient for not more than 48 hours.
(2) Notwithstanding any practitioner-patient privilege, the director of the department may provide data obtained under this section to all of the following:
(a) A designated representative of a board responsible for the licensure, regulation, or discipline of a practitioner, pharmacist, or other person who is authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances.
(b) An employee or agent of the department.
(c) A state, federal, or municipal employee or agent whose duty is to enforce the laws of this state or the United States relating to drugs.
(d) A state-operated medicaid program.
(e) A state, federal, or municipal employee who is the holder of a search warrant or subpoena properly issued for the records.
(f) A practitioner or pharmacist who requests information and certifies that the requested information is for the purpose of providing medical or pharmaceutical treatment to a bona fide current patient.
(g) An individual with whom the department has contracted under subsection (9).
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this part, information submitted under this section shall be used only for bona fide drug-related criminal investigatory or evidentiary purposes or for the investigatory or evidentiary purposes in connection with the functions of a disciplinary subcommittee or 1 or more of the licensing or registration boards created in article 15.
(4) A person who receives data or any report under subsection (2) containing any patient identifiers of the system from the department shall not provide it to any other person or entity except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, reporting under subsection (1) is mandatory for a veterinarian, pharmacist, and dispensing prescriber. However, the department may issue a written waiver of the electronic reporting requirement to a veterinarian, pharmacist, or dispensing prescriber who establishes grounds that he or she is unable to use the electronic monitoring system. The department shall require the applicant for the waiver to report the required information in a manner approved by the department.
(6) In addition to the information required to be reported annually under section 7112(3), the controlled substances advisory commission shall include in the report information on the implementation and effectiveness of the electronic monitoring system.
(7) The department, in consultation with the controlled substances advisory commission, the Michigan board of pharmacy, the Michigan board of medicine, the Michigan board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, the Michigan state police, and appropriate medical professional associations, shall examine the need for and may promulgate rules for the production of a prescription form on paper that minimizes the potential for forgery. The rules shall not include any requirement that sequential numbers, bar codes, or symbols be affixed, printed, or written on a prescription form or that the prescription form be a state produced prescription form. In examining the need for rules for the production of a prescription form on paper that minimizes the potential for forgery, the department shall consider and identify the following:
(a) Cost, benefits, and barriers.
(b) Overall cost-benefit analysis.
(c) Compatibility with the electronic monitoring system required under this section.
(8) The department shall report its findings under subsection (7) to the members of the house and senate standing committees having jurisdiction over health policy issues not later than October 1, 2002, and before the electronic monitoring system required under this section becomes operational.
(9) The department may enter into 1 or more contractual agreements for the administration of this section.
(10) The department, all law enforcement officers, all officers of the court, and all regulatory agencies and officers, in using the data for investigative or prosecution purposes, shall consider the nature of the prescriber's and dispenser's practice and the condition for which the patient is being treated.
(11) The data and any report containing any patient identifiers obtained therefrom is not a public record, and is not subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(12) As used in this section, “department” means the department of consumer and industry services.
History: Add. 2001, Act 231, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2002
Popular Name: Act 368
Admin Rule: R 338.3101 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.