Bill
A 7920
Bill A 7920 limits opioid substitutions, ensuring patients receive safer, abuse-deterrent medications, enhancing safety and reducing addiction risks in pain management.
Bill Number: A 7920
Title: Limits the substitution of abuse-deterrent analgesic opioid drug products for analgesic opioids lacking such technology
Status: Referred to Insurance
Introduced: April 11, 2025
Primary Sponsor: Matthew Slater
Bill A 7920 aims to address the ongoing opioid crisis by regulating the substitution of analgesic opioid medications. Specifically, the bill seeks to limit the substitution of abuse-deterrent formulations of opioid drugs with non-abuse-deterrent counterparts. The intent is to promote the use of safer opioid medications that incorporate technology designed to deter misuse and abuse, thereby enhancing patient safety and reducing the potential for addiction.
Substitution Limitations: The bill proposes that healthcare providers and pharmacists may not substitute an abuse-deterrent analgesic opioid with a non-abuse-deterrent opioid without explicit consent from the prescribing physician.
Definition of Abuse-Deterrent: The bill defines what constitutes an abuse-deterrent formulation, likely including specific technological features that make the drug less susceptible to misuse.
Patient Safety Focus: By limiting substitutions, the bill aims to ensure that patients who are prescribed opioids for pain management receive medications that are less likely to be abused.
Patients: Individuals prescribed opioid medications will benefit from the enhanced safety measures, as they will be less likely to receive potentially more dangerous non-abuse-deterrent opioids.
Healthcare Providers: Physicians and pharmacists will need to be aware of the new regulations regarding opioid prescriptions and substitutions, which may require additional training or adjustments in practice.
Pharmaceutical Companies: Manufacturers of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations may see increased demand for their products, while those producing non-abuse-deterrent opioids could face challenges in the market.
Current Status: As of April 11, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Insurance Committee for further consideration.
Related Legislation: This bill is related to several prior-session bills (S 6962, S 7009, S 3272, S 6180, S 4754) and has a companion bill (S 6937), indicating ongoing legislative interest in addressing opioid safety and abuse prevention.
Bill A 7920 represents a proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with opioid prescriptions by promoting the use of abuse-deterrent formulations. By limiting substitutions, the bill seeks to protect patients and support healthcare providers in managing pain safely and effectively. Further developments will be monitored as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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