Opioid Prescribing Rule
In 2017, Vermont enacted the Rule Governing the Prescribing of Opioids for Pain. This rule provides legal requirements for the appropriate use of opioids in treating pain in order to minimize opportunities for misuse and diversion and optimize prevention of addiction and overdose.
More information on the rule
- Rule Governing the Prescribing of Opioids for Pain
- Opioid Prescribing Rule - What You Need to Know
- Rules for Prescribing Opioids for Pain & Vermont Prescription Monitoring System - Frequently Asked Questions: For Prescribers
- May 17, 2017 Webinar (link is external) & Handout
Required Patient Handouts
Reduction and Discontinuation
OPIOID AWARENESS FOR PATIENTS
RxAware provides information on what your patient needs to know about prescription opioids, options for managing pain, side effects and withdrawal and how to find help.
Handouts for Patients
- The Opioid Patient Information Sheet* contains information regarding the risks associated with opioids and proper disposal.
- The Opioid Prescription - Informed Consent Sample Form* should be signed by the patient and kept on file at the medical practice office.
- The Opioid Prescribing Rule - What You Need to Know contains information about the Opioid Prescribing Rule.
- The VPMS Advisory Notice contains information regarding the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System.
The documents above have been translated into Arabic, Burmese, French, Kirundi, Nepali, Somali, and Spanish to provide to new Vermonter patients.
- Patient Education: Opioids & Benzodiazepines
- Patient Education: Tapering Off Opioids
- Patient Education: Naloxone and Opioids
- Patient Education: Alternative Pain Management
- Patient Education: Pain Expectations
*Required by law to be distributed to patients receiving a new opioid prescription.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISPOSAL
Do Your Part provides information on National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, permanent prescription drug disposal sites and free prescription medication mail-back envelopes.
OVERDOSE PREVENTION
KnowOD provides information on the signs of an opioid overdose, what to do during an overdose and tips for how to reduce and prevent overdose.
Visit VT Helplink to find where you can get Narcan® and other overdose prevention resources.
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS)
The Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) is a database of controlled substance prescriptions dispensed by Vermont licensed pharmacies that helps prescribers and pharmacists make better evidence-based clinical decisions and limit diversion. Learn more and access VPMS
Overdose Reversal
Naloxone – known by the trade name Narcan® – is a medication that can easily reverse an overdose when administered as quickly as possible after an overdose. Vermont Law (18 VSA ß 4240 (c)) allows health care professionals to distribute an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of overdose – or to a family member, friend or other person in a position to help. Learn more about naloxone
Medication for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD)
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) (formerly known as Mediation Assisted Treatment or MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) 101 - An introduction to Medication Assisted Treatment (September 2021)
| MOUD Resources | |
|---|---|
| MAT Rules: Medication Assisted Therapy for Opioid Dependence | Any buprenorphine or methadone prescriber is responsible for complying with these rules. |
| Provider Clinical Support System | Resources for health professionals, patients and community. Includes consent documents as referenced in the MAT rule. |
| Opioid Treatment Screening Guidelines for Hubs | The primary goal of MOUD is to improve overall patient wellness. It is recommended that a comprehensive screening for drugs misuse be completed upon entering opioid treatment programs. |
| MAT for Opioid Addiction: Fact Sheet | MAT fact sheet including assessing the evidence, dosage and treatment limits, MAT and pregnancy and risks. |
| MAT Guidelines for Women who are Pregnant | Recommendations for providers on the management of opioid dependence during pregnancy. |
*DISCLAIMER: The links to morphine milligram equivalent calculators are placed here for the convenience of prescribers, dispensers, and patients. The State of Vermont did not design and does not maintain these calculators nor make any representation as to their accuracy. Relevant rules do not require the use of these, or any other, calculator. It is the responsibility of the prescriber to confirm calculations and to adhere to the limits imposed by any relevant rule or law and to exercise clinical judgement consistent with the standard of care
Additional Resources
- SAMHSA Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (link is external)
- University of Vermont College of Medicine Office of Primary care & Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program Opioid Prescription Management Toolkit for Chronic Pain Sustainable Solutions for Vermont
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - Implementing the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
For upcoming training opportunities and continuing education resources on alcohol and drug prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery for health professionals, visit our Workforce Development page.