ATLANTA (September 19, 2017) |On Thursday, September 21, 2017, Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) will serve as the keynote speaker at the United Advance Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN of GA) Conference. Sen. Unterman will address the opioid epidemic in Georgia and provide an overview of legislation that was signed into law to address this critical issue.
“It is an honor to be asked to serve as the keynote speaker for such an important group and conference,” said. Sen Unterman. “Our APRNs see firsthand the devastating effect the opioid epidemic has on citizens around the nation. It is critical that we all work together to educate one another on our efforts to ensure this health care crisis is properly addressed. Although the legislation we passed into law this year does not stop the epidemic, I believe that we are moving in the right direction to save lives. By sharing information and leaving the lines of communication open between elected officials, healthcare providers and our citizens, we are bringing awareness to an issue that does not discriminate on who it affects.”
Sen. Unterman will be addressing the opioid epidemic and legislation she authored, Senate Bill 81, which did not get signed into law but was partially passed in House Bill 249. The section of SB 81 that was included in HB 249 addresses electronic reporting for those who prescribe or dispense controlled substances. Prescribers and dispensers will now be required to use the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) every 24 hours instead of the weekly reporting that is currently required. The PDMP is currently administered by the Georgia Drug and Narcotics Agency and under HB 249 the responsibility of the PDMP will be transferred to the Georgia Department of Public Health. HB 249 went into effect on July 1, 2017.
Additional information on the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (GA PDMP) can be found here:
https://gdna.georgia.gov/georgia-prescription-drug-monitoring-program-ga-pdmp
Additional information on the United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia (UAPRN of GA) conference can be found here:
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For Immediate Release:
September 19, 2017
Ines Owens, Acting Director
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028