WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1848

Controlled Substances - As introduced, authorizes additional healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without the use of naloxone; adds that prescribing a buprenorphine product to nursing mother or prescribing an injectable mono product does not restrict certain healthcare providers from prescribing a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder without naloxone. - Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 11.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Becky Massey

Tennessee bill expands healthcare providers authorized to prescribe buprenorphine without naloxone for opioid use disorder treatment, potentially increasing patient access.

Companion House Bill substituted
#controlledsubstances
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1848

Legislative bill overview

SB 1848 expands which healthcare providers can directly administer buprenorphine (a medication for treating opioid use disorder) without requiring naloxone to be present. It clarifies that prescribing buprenorphine to nursing mothers or in injectable form doesn't prevent other qualified providers from prescribing buprenorphine-only versions for opioid use disorder treatment.

Why is this important

Buprenorphine is a critical medication for addressing opioid addiction, but existing restrictions on who can prescribe it and how limit patient access. By broadening prescriber eligibility and removing unnecessary naloxone requirements in specific cases, this bill could increase treatment availability, particularly in underserved areas where specialized addiction medicine providers are scarce.

Potential points of contention

  • Provider scope concerns: Expanding prescriber authority requires ensuring adequate training and oversight; some medical boards may worry about prescribing standards and patient safety if too many provider types gain access without sufficient safeguards
  • Naloxone requirement debate: Removing naloxone requirements is debated—while buprenorphine is safer than other opioids, some argue naloxone presence provides emergency overdose protection; others say it's unnecessary for buprenorphine's lower-overdose profile
  • Implementation inconsistency: Nursing mothers and injectable mono product users get different treatment rules, which could create confusion about which providers can prescribe in which situations and whether standards are evidence-based

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.