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PS 403

“Para crear la “Ley sobre el Consentimiento Informado en el Uso de Opioides”, a los fines de establecer la obligación por parte del médico de discutir con el paciente o con el padre o tutor del paciente menor de dieciocho (18) años de edad, con anterioridad a prescribir un medicamento controlado de los contenidos en la Clasificación II o cualquier otro opioide prescrito para el alivio del dolor, de los riesgos de adicción y sobredosis asociados a las drogas opioides, sus usos, riesgos y tratamientos alternativos.”

2025-2028 Session

Requires physicians to discuss risks, uses, and alternatives of opioids with patients or guardians before prescribing any opioid for pain.

Retirada por su Autor
0
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Bill Summary · PS 403

PS 403 — Summary of the Proposal “Ley sobre el Consentimiento Informado en el Uso de Opioides”

Overview

PS 403 proposes the creation of an informed-consent framework for opioid prescribing. Specifically, it would require physicians to discuss with the patient, or with the parent or guardian of a patient under 18, the risks, uses, and treatment alternatives before prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance or any other opioid for pain relief.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve patient and caregiver understanding of opioid risks, including addiction and overdose.
  • Ensure patients and guardians are informed about the purposes of opioids, potential risks, and available alternatives to opioid therapy.
  • Promote safer pain-management practices by integrating informed consent into the prescribing process for opioids.

Key Provisions (as described in the bill’s title and summaries)

  • Obligation on physicians: Before prescribing a Schedule II opioid or any other opioid for pain relief, the physician must discuss with the patient or, for minors, the parent or guardian.
  • Content of discussion: Focus on the risks of addiction and overdose, the uses of opioids, associated risks, and alternative treatments for pain.
  • Applicability: Applies to physicians prescribing opioids for pain relief. The bill centers on the informed-consent process rather than specific clinical protocols or prescribing limits (as described in the available text).

Affected Parties

  • Physicians and other prescribers of opioids for pain.
  • Patients receiving opioid therapy.
  • Parents or guardians of patients under 18 years of age.
  • Healthcare settings where opioid prescriptions are initiated.

Procedural History and Status

  • Introduced: March 10, 2025.
  • First Reading: March 10, 2025 (Senate).
  • Referral: Referred to committee(s) on March 10, 2025.
  • Committee Action: On June 3, 2025, the commission did not recommend approval.
  • Status: Withdrawn by its author on June 12, 2025, ending any pursuing of enactment in its current form.

Timeline Highlights

  • 2025-03-10: Radicado; aparecida en Primera Lectura del Senado; referido a comisiones.
  • 2025-06-03: Comisión no recomienda aprobación.
  • 2025-06-12: Retirada por su Autor.

Potential Impacts (If Enacted)

  • Administrative and workflow effects: Physicians would need to allocate time for informed-consent discussions prior to opioid prescribing, potentially affecting appointment flow.
  • Patient safety and awareness: Increased understanding of addiction and overdose risks, along with exploration of non-opioid or alternative therapies.
  • Minor patients: Enhanced involvement of parents/guardians in decision-making for opioid therapy.

Bottom Line

PS 403 aimed to formalize an informed-consent requirement for opioid prescribing to improve awareness of risks and alternatives. The measure progressed to committee review, faced a negative committee recommendation, and was later withdrawn by its author, leaving no current statute tied to these provisions.

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

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