Ch. 220

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, Medication assisted treatment programs, including methadone
maintenance programs, are an effective means of reducing opioid use and assisting
addicts to become more productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, There are only 30 medication assisted treatment programs
currently operating in Maryland with approximately 9,000 slots funded by the Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Administration; and

WHEREAS, In October of 2002, the federal Food and Drug Administration
approved two new prescription drugs, buprenorphine hydrochloride and
buprenorphine hydrochloride-naloxone hydrochloride, for the office-based treatment
of opiate dependence; and

WHEREAS, The federal Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 authorizes
qualifying physicians to practice office-based, medication-assisted opioid addiction
therapy under a waiver from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA); and

WHEREAS, One of the criteria by which physicians may qualify for waivers to
practice office-based, medication-assisted opioid addiction therapy is State medical
licensing board-approved experience or training in the treatment and management of
opiate-dependent patients; and

WHEREAS, Office-based treatment for opioid addiction will provide additional,
less stigmatized treatment options, promote higher turnover in the limited number of
medication-assisted treatment program slots, and enhance the cost-effectiveness of
medication-assisted treatment; and

WHEREAS, To date, only 22 Maryland physicians have obtained waivers to
provide office-based, medication-assisted opioid addiction therapy; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland should encourage physicians, particularly
primary care and family practice physicians, to pursue office-based,
medication-assisted opioid addiction therapy in order to expand access to substance
abuse treatment and make a positive public health impact; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That:

(a)     On or before November 1, 2003, the State Board of Physician Quality
Assurance shall establish or designate a process program to train and certify
Maryland physicians who wish to apply for a waiver from SAMHSA to practice
office-based, medication-assisted opioid addiction therapy.

(b)     In developing the establishing or designating a training and certification
process program required under subsection (a) of this section, the Board shall:

(1) consult the Model Policy Guidelines for Opioid Addiction Treatment
in the Medical Office adopted by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United
States, Inc.; and

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