Pavliga's Bipartisan Bill Addressing Opioid Crisis Signed into Law

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) announces bipartisan legislation she joint sponsored with State Rep. Al Cutrona addressing the opioid crisis was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Mike DeWine. Pavliga attended the signing ceremony.

The legislation, under House Bill 193, requires Schedule II prescriptions to be completed electronically.

“The goal of the legislation is to help curb the opioid crisis here in Ohio,” Pavliga said. “While we will continue to find more ways to address this epidemic, I’m very pleased to see this bill signed today. House Bill 193 takes action to stop a method of how these illicit drugs are damaging people’s lives here in Portage County and across the state. I’m happy to be a part of the solution to reducing these addictive drugs in our communities.”

Under the legislation, Schedule II drugs will have to be prescribed through electronic means, except in certain circumstances. This will help reduce situations where individuals try to obtain Schedule II drugs from pharmacies with stolen or fraudulent scripts. Additionally, the bill provides a safe harbor provision for pharmacists.

Testimony during the committee process cited experiences with individuals providing pharmacies with suspicious or fraudulent scripts in order to illegally obtain these types of drugs. Pavliga notes that nearly half the states around the country have enacted mandatory e-prescribing of Scheduled II drugs. 

Before being signed into law today, House Bill 193 passed out of both the House and Senate chambers with bipartisan votes.

The law will take effect in 90 days.