Inappropriate and/or excessive prescribing of controlled substances, including opioid painkillers, has been a top regulatory priority for NCMB for more than a decade. In recent years, as patient deaths from opioid poisoning have continued to rise, the Board has intensified its efforts on multiple fronts: investigation/enforcement, policy development and education/outreach.
NCMB recognizes that chronic pain is a legitimate medical issue and wants patients to receive safe and appropriate care. Encouraging appropriate prescribing is the Board’s primary objective with regard to opioids.
Find resources and information about NCMB programs to positively impact the opioid crisis below.
New! Step-by-step NC CSRS registration guide
NC's new opioids law - the STOP Act
NCMB adopts CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
- NCMB Policy on the use of opiates for the treatment of pain
- CDC opioid guidelines at-a-glance
- CDC opioids tapering guidance
Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (opioid investigative program)
- Summary results of NCMB's Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative
- NEW! Revised selection criteria for investigation (eff. July 1, 2017)
- Clarifying some points about NCMB's Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative
- Coming to terms with opioid prescribing: Safe treatment is the goal
- Initial letter to prescribers about the Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (SOPI) (April 2016)
- Follow-up letter to licensees (June 2016)
- Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (SOPI) FAQs
Outreach
Prescriber resources
- NC's prescription database (NC Controlled Substances Reporting System)
- NCMB licensees: Register for access to the NCCSRS
Prescriber education
- Rule changes would require provider education in pain management
- Review proposed physician CME rule changes
- Review proposed physician assistant CME rule changes