The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health
Board of Registration in Pharmacy Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108

Tel: 617-973-0860
Fax: 617-973-0980
TTY: 617-973-0988
www.mass.gov/dph/boards/pharmacy

March 1, 2017

To: Massachusetts Pharmacy Registrants From: Board of Registration in Pharmacy
Re: DPH Pamphlet for CII and CIII narcotic dispensing [UPDATED from September 23, 2015]

Pursuant to Section 25 of Chapter 52 of the Acts of 2016, Section 21 of Chapter 94C of the Massachusetts General Laws was amended and language was added related to the “Opioid Prescription Drug Fact Sheet.”  The amended Section 21 of Chapter 94C reads [with emphasis to note the added language]:

“The department of public health shall produce and distribute either in written or electronic form to pharmacies, not including institutional pharmacies, pamphlets for consumers relative to narcotic drugs, specifically opiates, that includes educational information about: (i) pain management; (ii) misuse and abuse by adults and children; (iii) risk of dependency and addiction; (iv) proper storage and disposal; (v) addiction support and treatment resources; and (vi) the telephone helpline operated by the bureau of substance abuse services established in section 18 of chapter 17. A pharmacist shall distribute the pamphlet when dispensing a narcotic or controlled substance contained in Schedule II or III.”

Below please find the above referenced pamphlet “Opioid Prescription Drug Fact Sheet.” Please note that this pamphlet is required to be distributed with each dispensing of a Schedule II and III narcotic, specifically opiate, medication.

Treating Pain and Avoiding Narcotics Misuse	

Suffering from pain?		
Your treatment should start with an examination from your	How to Safely Use, Store, and	
health care provider, and a discussion about your pain history,	Dispose of Narcotic Medications	
current conditions, and the medications you take. This allows		
your provider to create a plan that is specific to you, and	USE: Take only as directed by your	
lowers the risk of side effects or complications of medication,	health care provider. Do not share	
including misuse. You are getting this information because	your medication with anyone, even	
your plan includes a prescription for narcotics. The drugs	if their symptoms are the same.	
prescribed are based on factors including the type, location,	Sharing your opioid prescription	
origin, and severity of your pain. While narcotics may be safe	with another person is illegal and	
in certain doses, close medical supervision is required for	could endanger their health.	
long-term treatment.		
	STORE: Store opioids securely,	

Overdose Risk and How to Stay Safe	such as in a locked medicine	
Misuse of prescription painkillers can slow breathing to the	cabinet or a lock box. Medications	
point of death. Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) blocks	should be kept dry and stored at	
the effect of opioids and restores normal breathing and	room temperature.	
consciousness. It can easily be administered by being sprayed		
into the nose or given as an injection.	DISPOSE: Unused prescriptions	
	are best disposed of in prescription	

If you plan to keep opioids in your home, you should talk	drug drop boxes, located in many	
to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits of keeping	communities and can be found here:	
Naloxone in your home. Naloxone is available at your	https://www.mass.gov/service-details/prescription-dropbox-locations
	
pharmacy through a standing take-home order, which means	If you can’t get to a drop box,	
you may obtain it today without a prescription.	federal guidelines suggest taking	
	unused prescription drugs out of	

Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Drugs	their original containers, mixing	
Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic in the United States. Drug	them with coffee grounds or kitty	
overdoses now cause more deaths than motor vehicle accidents.	litter and throwing them away in	
	a sealed container. Never flush	

The misuse or abuse of opioids can have serious consequences	prescription drugs down the toilet	
including, lack of energy, inability to concentrate, physical	unless the label or information	
weakness, nausea and vomiting, and suppression of breathing.	sheet says to do so.	
What’s more, your body may become used to a certain dose,		
potentially leading to addiction.		

MA Substance Use Information and Education Helpline	
Toll Free: 800-327-5050	
TTY:  800-439-2370	
www.helpline-online.com	

Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Drugs among Youth
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that young people aged 12 or older who used painkillers (that were not prescribed for them) got them most often from a friend or relative. Show your children how to be safe and responsible by your own actions. Know what you are taking and take it as prescribed. Talk to your children about how dangerous prescription drugs can be and be clear that they should not use anyone else’s medications. If they have to take medicine during the school day, coordinate this with the school nurse or principal. Don’t give them medicine to take on their own.

How to Seek Help for Addiction to Prescription Drugs

For Youth and Young Adults (up to age 24): Massachusetts Central Intake & Care Coordination: Toll Free: 866-705-2807 / 617-661-3991
TTY: 617-661-9051

For Pregnant Women:
Massachusetts Central Intake & Care Coordination: Toll Free: 866-705-2807 / 617-661-3991
TTY: 617-661-9051

For All Massachusetts Residents – Information and Referrals for Substance Abuse Services:
The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline provides free and confidential information and referrals for alcohol and other drug abuse problems and related concerns. Open Monday to Friday from 8am –10pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 5pm. Language interpreters are always available.
Toll Free: 800-327-5050
TTY: 800-439-2370
www.helpline-online.com

Other ways to access treatment:
•	Talk with your health care provider.
•	Contact your health insurance company.
•	Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs that provide confidential support and referrals for persons experiencing problems related to substance use.	

Massachusetts Department of Public Health | 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108