A new state law is now in effect, requiring anyone picking up an opioid prescription to present government-issued identification.
The new law does not restrict who can pick up the prescription, only that an ID must be presented, such as a driver’s license, state identification card, military ID or a passport. This means caregivers, friends and family members can continue to pick up opioid prescriptions. They’ll just need to present identification.
“We want colleagues to be aware of this new requirement and to bring their identification to the pharmacy,” said Kris Shubert, clinical pharmacy manager at Nebraska Medicine. “A Nebraska Medicine or UNMC ID badge does not meet the requirements.”
Nebraska Statute 28-474 and Nebraska Statute 28-475 went into law on July 19 and are designed to combat the current opioid crisis. The law has other provisions, including requirements for the prescriber to educate the patient on risks of addiction and overdose and alternatives. It also creates a seven-day duration limit on a prescription for an opiate unless specific requirements are met.
Common opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol and morphine.