The department shall promulgate rules and regulations relative to the use of the prescription monitoring program by registered participants. The regulations shall include the requirement that prior to issuance, participants shall utilize the prescription monitoring program each time a prescription for a narcotic drug that is contained in schedule II or III, or a prescription for a benzodiazepine, is issued. The department may require participants to utilize the prescription monitoring program prior to the issuance of any schedule IV or V prescription drug, that is commonly misused and may lead to physical or psychological dependence or that causes patients with a history of substance dependence to experience significant addictive symptoms. The regulations shall specify the circumstances under which such narcotics or benzodiazepines may be prescribed without first utilizing the prescription monitoring program. The regulations may also specify the circumstances under which support staff may use the prescription monitoring program on behalf of a registered participant. When promulgating the rules and regulations, the department shall also require that pharmacists be trained in the use of the prescription monitoring program as part of the continuing education requirements mandated for licensure by the board of registration in pharmacy, under section 24A of chapter 112. The department shall also study the feasibility and value of expanding the prescription monitoring program to include schedule VI prescription drugs.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 94C, § 24A