Page 10 - Delaware Medical Journal - May 2016

PRESIDENT’S PAGE
OPIATES
Drug Overdose Review Commission
(SB 174): The Senate has proposed legislation creating a commission that
is analogous to the Child Death Review Commission. Its purpose is to review
the deaths from prescription opioid, fentanyl, and heroin overdose in order to make recommendations to the state to
look for ways to prevent further overdose deaths. MSD has been given two seats
on the Commission and we hope that the commission can statutorily share its data appropriately with the Prescription Drug Advisory Committee, which MSD currently co-chairs with the Division of Public Health.
Substance Exposed Infants (HB 268): A House bill had been introduced which would vastly expand the reporting to the Division of Family Services of children born with substances, illegal or legal, in their system. While we are seeing an exponential growth in the number of infants born addicted,
this legislation is over inclusive, failing to recognize that many mothers may be on properly-followed treatments of everything from SSRI’s to Methadone. MSD recognizes that children born with illegal drugs in
their system is a major health problem, but opposes this broad approach and harbors deep concerns, along with our colleagues in obstetrics and pediatrics, that this legislation could create a chilling effect that will keep the most at-need babies out of care. That
is, mothers who fear being reported to law enforcement would be reluctant to seek
care during pregnancy. We, along with a large coalition of health organizations and providers, seek amendments.
Prescription Drug Advisory Committee (PDAC): This committee was formed through the cooperation of MSD and
the Division of Public Health within the Department of Health and Social Services in law guaranteeing its continued
existence into following gubernatorial administrations. The committee has been instrumental in the response to the opioid drug epidemic, has made valuable contributions to our understanding of the problem, and helped to craft policy solutions. PDAC needs to continue its mission. This legislation would allow the continuation of this committee to keep Delaware ahead of the curve and to continue their effective work.
SCOPE
Optometry (SB 143): Optometrists in Delaware are seeking to expand their
scope of practice to include prescriptive authority which includes steroids, narcotics, epinephrine autoinjector use, and other medications. They also want to be able to perform minor procedures and eliminate
the prohibition from doing surgery from in regulations. The Delaware Academy
of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have been working with MSD on this issue for the last two years, oppose the inappropriate expansion of scope of practice, and are actively seeking appropriate language in statute to protect patient safety.
Access to Emergency Medication (Epinephrine) (SB 162): A Senate bill increasing access to epinephrine has
is a good public health policy in theory, particularly for a pediatric population, some of the details concerning emergency care subsequent to use, concerns of lay persons inadvertently misapplying an autoinjector to an adult, and education concerning its use

one of the aforementioned categories is a change to the Mandatory Reporting laws, which we anticipate introduction of in April, where we are supporting our colleagues in
psychiatry as they seek a modernization. Mandatory reporting laws for child abuse serve to protect our children and are an important tool. We must also realize that there are certain instances when an adult is seeking care and requests that a report not be made. In some cases, their psychiatrist or psychologist reporting the abuse will pose a barrier to care. Our colleagues wish to use their clinical judgment in a nuanced and carefully-balanced fashion that this not be mandated unless another individual is at risk of being abused. This allows
the treating professional to provide the necessary care without a possible barrier.
These are some of the bills we have seen
in the Governmental Affairs Committee this year. Of course, there are many other bills either introduced, amendments sought, or being worked for introduction, such as the CARE act, Lyme disease legislation, a Right to Try bill, a latex allergy bill, and a pharmacy one-time dispensing proposal.
I am sure there will be others as we remain in a prime window for bill introduction. We will keep you posted through our other means of communication as they come up. However, if you have any questions about any legislation, do not hesitate to call MSD. We are here to represent you, the physician, and your patients.
But we do need your help as well. For instance, talking to your legislators. They love to hear from their constituents – really! – and I think they may not hear enough from us.
Another way you can help is to contribute to DELPAC. It is an election year and your contributions to DELPAC are now more important than ever. Let’s hope we wake up on July 1st with good news from Dover.
Dorothy M. Moore, M.D.
President, Medical Society of Delaware
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Del Med J | May 2016 | Vol. 88 | No. 5