Maine’s Prescription Monitoring Program and Veterinarians

Maine State Senator Jim Hamper of Lincoln County has proposed a controversial bill (LD 1730) that would remove veterinarians from the Maine’s Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (Prescription Monitoring Program).

Hamper is proposing to change the definition of ‘Prescriber,” under the Prescription Monitoring Program which in its current form, includes veterinarians –

‘“Prescriber” means a licensed health care professional with authority to prescribe controlled substances and a veterinarian licensed under Title 32, Chapter 71-A with authority to prescribe controlled substances.’

Under current Maine law, prescribers are required diligently check patient information under the Prescription Monitoring Program when prescribing controlled substances. If LD 1730 is successful, veterinarians would no longer have to check patient (owner) information under the Prescription Monitoring Program, but would have to comply with new continuing education requirements.

LD 1730’s Summary states:

“This bill eliminates the requirement that veterinarians check prescription monitoring information under the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program upon prescribing certain medications, including opioids. It also changes the continuing education requirement to require a veterinarian who prescribes opioid medications to successfully complete 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years on the administration, prescription and management of controlled substances. Current law requires such a veterinarian to successfully complete 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years on prescription opioid medication.”