Provider Training and Resources

On June 5, 2017, Governor Doug Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency, and an enhanced Surveillance Advisory, in response to the opioid overdose epidemic in Arizona. The Declaration of Emergency called for a statewide effort to reduce opioid deaths in the state. In relation to prescribers, the bill initiates emergency rulemaking to develop rules for opioid prescribing and guidelines to educate health care providers on responsible prescribing practices.

Controlled Prescription Monitoring Program

The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) grants access to prescribers and pharmacists so they may review controlled substance dispensing information for patients. Access is granted to individuals only—not to clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, or any other health care facility. Beginning April 26, 2018, new laws go into effect regarding the prescribing and dispensing of opioids in the State of Arizona. Additionally, dispensing pharmacists are required to review the PMP record of a patient receiving a schedule II controlled substance for the preceding 12 months

The Arizona Board of Pharmacy has completed the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program training videos with the help of Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). These training videos were made to help health care professionals register for PMP database use, look up patient records, and understand the patient's report. The training also teaches prescribers how to use the PMP to monitor and be reassured that the prescriptions filled were those written by the prescriber.

Mid-Level Exception Request

To increase the capacity to provide medication services for opioid use disorder treatment within an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), an exemption process authorized under 42 CFR Part 8.11 allows for OTPs to request the Single State Authority (SSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to provide approval to authorize Mid-Level Practitioners to treat individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder. Request forms must be submitted through the extranet and go to the State Opioid Treatment Authority for initial approval and then proceed to CSAT for final approval.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Prescribing

Under Section 1263 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, otherwise known as the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, health care providers are no longer required to hold a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The current prescriber training requirements are outlined below.

Training Resources

Training Requirements (MATE Act) Resources | SAMHSA
SAMHSA funds the Providers’ Clinical Support System (PCSS) to provide practitioner training in the evidence-based prevention and treatment of OUD and offers the training needed to apply for DEA registrations to prescribe Schedule II-V medications.

SAMHSA offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental and substance use disorders. Find information on SAMHSA training and resources.

AzMAT Mentors Program | Center For Rural Health
The Arizona Center for Rural Health (AzCRH) partnered with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to implement the AzMAT Mentors Program. This program provides guidance to new or inexperienced providers to increase their capacity for providing medication-assistance treatment (MAT) services in Arizona. The goal is to improve access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and specifically opioid use disorders (OUD).

Project ECHO
Specialist teams mentor and share their expertise across a virtual network via case-based learning, enabling primary care providers to treat patients with complex conditions in their own communities.

Beyond Addiction | The University of Arizona College of Medicine
Connecting local and national peers who are working to solve the substance use disorder health crisis in women. The interactive webinar series brings together experts in the field and practitioners from the front lines to share the latest in evidence-based practice and expert experiences.