2019 Alaska Statutes
Title 8. Business and Professions
Chapter 98. Veterinarians
Article 3. Enforcement.
Sec. 08.98.245. Maximum dosage for opioid prescriptions.
(a) A veterinarian may not issue an initial prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven- day supply to the owner of an animal patient for outpatient use.
(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a veterinarian may issue a prescription for an opioid that exceeds a seven-day supply to the owner of an animal if the veterinarian determines that more than a seven-day supply of an opioid is necessary
(1) to treat the animal's medical condition or for chronic pain management; the veterinarian may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the animal's medical condition or chronic pain; the veterinarian shall document in the animal's medical record the condition triggering the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition; or
(2) for an owner who is unable to access a veterinarian or pharmacist within the time necessary for a refill of the seven-day supply because of a logistical or travel barrier; the veterinarian may write a prescription for an opioid for the quantity needed to treat the animal for the time that the owner is unable to access a veterinarian or pharmacist; the veterinarian shall document in the animal's medical record the reason for the prescription of an opioid in a quantity that exceeds a seven-day supply and indicate that a nonopioid alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition.
