(a)

1. (1) Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 20-7-604(d), healthcare providers are encouraged to access or check the information in the controlled substance database before prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications.
2. (2) For purposes of this section, “healthcare provider” means a physician or physician assistant.

(b) A healthcare provider shall check the information in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing:

1. (1) An opioid from Schedule II or Schedule III for every time prescribing the medication to a patient; and
2. (2) A benzodiazepine medication for the first time prescribing the medication to a patient.

(c) This section does not apply to the following:

1. (1) A healthcare provider administering a controlled substance:

   1. (A) Immediately before or during surgery;
   2. (B) During recovery from a surgery while in a healthcare facility;
   3. (C) In a healthcare facility; or
   4. (D) Necessary to treat a patient in an emergency situation:

(i) At the scene of an emergency;

1. (ii) In a licensed ground ambulance or air ambulance; or

   1. (iii) In the intensive care unit of a licensed hospital;

2. (2) A healthcare provider prescribing or administering a controlled substance to:

   1. (A) A palliative care or hospice patient; or
   2. (B) A resident in a licensed nursing home facility; or

3. (3) Situations in which the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is not accessible due to technological or electrical failure.

   1. (d) A licensed oncologist shall check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing to a patient on an initial malignant episodic diagnosis and every three (3) months following the diagnosis while continuing treatment.