MA Governor signs landmark opioid bill into law

The law limits first-time prescriptions for opioid drugs — such as those prescribed as painkillers after surgery — to a seven-day supply, with exceptions for treating cancer or chronic pain and it allows patients to fill a lesser amount of an opioid prescription. The law requires doctors to check a state Prescription Monitoring Program each time they prescribe an addictive opioid and establishes a drug stewardship program to dispose of unneeded drugs. Most provisions of the bill go into effect immediately. The requirement for doctors to check the Prescription Monitoring Program will be effective in October.