A bill for an act relating to the standards of practice relating to the prescribing of certain pain medications.

HSB 160 requires Iowa physicians to discuss specific risks and alternatives before prescribing opioid pain medications for acute or chronic pain, both for the initial prescription and the third prescription in a treatment course. Doctors must cover addiction risks, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol/benzodiazepines, necessity of the prescription, and alternative treatments, then document this discussion in the patient’s medical record. The law excludes prescriptions for terminal illness comfort care (like hospice) or medications treating substance use disorders. It directly affects physicians prescribing opioids and their patients, aiming to improve informed consent around high-risk medications. The bill amends existing medical practice standards to mandate these patient discussions.