On January 4, 2017, SB 319 was signed into law by Governor Kasich. One provision of this new law requires any location where a prescriber is treating more than thirty individuals for opioid dependence or addiction using a controlled substance to obtain a license as a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs with an office-based opioid treatment classification.
The requirement to obtain a license as a terminal distributor with an office-based opioid treatment classification takes effect on August 4, 2017.
While the deadline for licensure is not until August, the Board plans to open the licensing process well in advance to allow enough time for those impacted to obtain licensure. The opening of the licensing process is anticipated late April. Updates will be posted to the Board of Pharmacy’s website.
There is a $150 fee per year for the classification, along with an application. The application will be available as soon as the week of April 17. Because FQHCs aren’t physician owned they will also have to seek a waiver of that requirement from the board, but it will be explained on the application on how to do just that. It is recommended to submit as early as possible because it can take some time to approve due to background checks that are required.
Please review this FAQ document, compiled by the Ohio Pharmacy Board last month, which includes good information not limited to the following:
What if I already have a terminal distributor license?
You will need to apply for a license as a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs with an office-based opioid treatment classification. The office-based opioid treatment license will take the place of your existing terminal distributor license.
I work in a multi-physician practice where each physician provides office-based opioid treatment to fewer than 30 patients. Is my practice required to obtain licensure?
No. The law requires licensure for any location where a prescriber is treating more than thirty individuals for opioid dependence or addiction using a controlled substance.
Please contact Randy or Julie at OACHC with any questions.
Two Ohio FQHCs have been charged with implementing specific programs to support community prevention strategies focused on preventing diabetes and controlling hypertension. In order to attempt to improve health care and preventative services within their organizations, the health centers will complete health system interventions to create a link between community programs and clinical services. This two-year funded effort is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health.
To accomplish these prevention efforts, the health centers will be utilizing the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Change Package for Clinicians and the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The focus areas of the grant are: (1) Improving Management of Adult Patients with Hypertension, (2) Finding Adult Patients with Undiagnosed Hypertension, and (3) Identifying Adult Patients with Prediabetes and then referring to a DPP while establishing a back and forth dialog between the DPP and the referred healthcare providers.
Health Partners of Western Ohio, located in Allen County, has received pending recognition by the CDC to implement their own recognized DPP within their health center. They are currently working on program development and training staff.
Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio, located in Van Wert County, will be referring prediabetes patients to, and working closely with the Van Wert County Hospital DPP. Van Wert County Hospital is also in pending recognition and is working towards receiving full CDC recognition for its DPP.
While the DPP has been shown to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes by 58%, limited research has been conducted within FQHCs, particularly in Ohio. OACHC will be collecting quarterly data reports from these health centers to track their progress in successfully implementing both the hypertension change package and a successful link or integration with a DPP.
