The Department of Safety and Professional Services takes another step in fighting opioid abuse

MEB creates emergency rule relating to opioid prescribing guideline

Madison, WI – Today, the Department of Safety and Professional Services has taken another step in fighting opioid abuse in Wisconsin, announcing an emergency rule requiring physicians to obtain continuing education relating to prescribing opioids.

“The requirement is one component of a comprehensive statewide strategy to address prescription drug abuse in the best interest of public health and safety,” said MEB Chair Kenneth Simons.

The emergency rule requires physicians who hold a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration number for prescribing controlled substances to obtain two credits of Continuing Medical Education (CME) on the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board’s (MEB) opioid prescribing guideline. The courses will relate to the guideline which was issued by the Board in July 2016.

“In addition to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and serving on the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, I am proud of the Department for continuing to implement new ways to help fight this dangerous epidemic in Wisconsin,” said Secretary Dave Ross.

The emergency rule does not require additional hours of CME; rather the new two-credit requirement is part of the 30 credit total that is required of physicians to renew their licenses. The rule is in effect for the current CME biennium and another two credits of CME on the guideline will be required in the next biennium. The MEB will then have the ability to extend the rule.