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SB 562

State Board of Pharmacy - Prescriber-Pharmacist Agreements - Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Gile

SB 562 mandates prescriber-pharmacist agreements to coordinate opioid use disorder treatment, improving care coordination and medication access in Maryland.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 54
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Bill Summary · SB 562

Legislative bill overview

SB 562 establishes new requirements for agreements between prescribers and pharmacists regarding the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) in Maryland. The bill appears to create a framework for collaborative care protocols between these healthcare providers to improve OUD treatment coordination and outcomes.

Why is this important

Opioid use disorder remains a significant public health crisis, and coordination between prescribers and pharmacists can improve medication-assisted treatment (MAT) accessibility and adherence. Clear agreements between these providers may reduce barriers to treatment, improve patient outcomes, and help address the overdose epidemic while ensuring appropriate oversight of opioid medications.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of pharmacist authority - Determining what clinical decisions pharmacists can make independently versus requiring prescriber approval may create disagreements between professional organizations
  • Implementation burden - Requiring formalized agreements could create administrative costs and complexity for smaller pharmacies and prescriber practices
  • Liability and responsibility - Unclear which provider bears liability for adverse outcomes under collaborative agreements could discourage participation or create legal disputes

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

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