Prescription drug monitoring program rule.

50-05-02-01. Prescription drug monitoring program rule. 1. Every practitioner who prescribes a controlled substance in North Dakota shall register with the prescription drug monitoring program. 2. a. When a practitioner determines that reported drugs will be prescribed to a patient for a period to exceed twelve weeks, the practitioner shall request a prescription drug monitoring program report for that patient and, at a minimum, at least semiannually thereafter. b. This requirement does not apply to reported drugs prescribed to patients in a controlled setting in which the drugs are locked and administered to the patient, for example, admitted hospital or hospice patients, long-term care patients or group home residents. 3. In addition to those reports requested under subsection 2, practitioners shall request a prescription drug monitoring program report when it is documented in the prescribing practitioner's medical record for that patient that the patient exhibits signs associated with diversion or abuse, including: a. Selling prescription drugs; b. Forging or altering a prescription; c. Stealing or borrowing reported drugs; d. Taking more than the prescribed dosage of any reported drug; e. Having a drug screen that indicates the presence of additional or illicit drugs; f. Being arrested, convicted, or diverted by the criminal justice system for a drug-related offense; g. Receiving reported drugs from providers not reported to the treating practitioner; h. Having a law enforcement or health professional express concern about the patient's use of drugs. i. Violating any prescribing agreement with the physician; j. Frequently requests early refills of a reported drug for any reason; k. Appears impaired or excessively sedated to the physician in any patient encounter; and l. Has a history of drug abuse dependency. 4. A practitioner shall document the receipt and assessment of prescription drug monitoring program reports made under this rule. History: Effective January 1, 2018; amended effective October 1, 2022. General Authority: NDCC 19-03.5-09(2) Law Implemented: NDCC 19-03.5-09(2) 1