Sec. 7. (a) The division shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to establish standards and protocols for opioid treatment programs to do the following:

(1) Assess new opioid treatment program patients to determine the most effective opioid treatment medications to start the patient’s opioid treatment.

(2) Ensure that each patient voluntarily chooses maintenance treatment and that relevant facts concerning the use of opioid treatment medications are clearly and adequately explained to the patient.

(3) Have appropriate opioid treatment program patients who are receiving methadone for opioid treatment move to receiving other approved opioid treatment medications.

     (b) An opioid treatment program shall follow the standards and protocols adopted under subsection (a) for each opioid treatment program patient.

     (c) Subject to subsection (a), an opioid treatment program may use any of the following medications as an alternative for methadone for opioid treatment:

(1) Buprenorphine.

(2) Buprenorphine combination products containing naloxone.

(3) Naltrexone injectable and extended release.

(4) A federal Food and Drug Administration approved long acting, nonaddictive medication for the treatment of opioid or alcohol dependence.

(5) Any other medication that has been approved by:

(A) the federal Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of opioid addiction; and

(B) the division under subsection (e).

     (d) Before starting a patient on a new opioid treatment medication, the opioid treatment program shall explain to the patient the potential side effects of the new medication.

     (e) The division may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to provide for other medications, including a federal Food and Drug Administration approved long acting, nonaddictive medication for the treatment of opioid or alcohol dependence, as alternatives to methadone that may be used under subsection (a).

As added by P.L.131-2014, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.187-2015, SEC.21; P.L.209-2015, SEC.15.