Laws/Regulations

The Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS)

MAPS was established in law in 2003 and collects Michigan controlled substance dispensation data. MCL 333.7333a dictates that all schedule 2-5 controlled substances dispensed must be reported to an electronic system, for monitoring.

In 2017, the legislature passed a package of bills with requirements necessary before issuing a controlled substance prescription. Below is a summary of some of the notable laws:

MCL 333.7303a

This law provides the following:

• A licensed prescriber must be registered to MAPS prior to prescribing or dispensing any schedule 2-5 controlled substance.
• Before issuing a controlled substance prescription that exceeds a 3-day supply a prescriber must first obtain and review a patient MAPS report.
• That a prescriber must establish a bona fide provider-patient relationship, prior to prescribing any schedule 2-5 controlled substance prescription.
• That failure to comply with the mandates outlined in this section of the law could result in sanctions against a professional license.

MCL 333.7303b, MCL 333.7303c

These laws provide the following:

• Before issuing a prescription for a drug containing an opioid, a prescriber must review education related to the risks of that drug and must complete an Opioid Start Talking Form, or equivalent form, including a necessary patient signature. This need be held in the patient medical record and applies to both minors and adults.

MCL 333.7333a

This law provides that:

• Before dispensing or prescribing buprenorphine or a drug containing buprenorphine and methadone to a patient in a substance use disorder program, the prescriber must review a patient MAPS report.

MCL 333.7333b

This law provides that:

• Prescribers treating patients for acute pain cannot exceed prescribing more than a 7-day supply of an opioid medication, within a 7-day period.

Other pertinent pharmacy legislation and administrative rule

MCL 333.17754a

This law provides that:

• A prescriber or their agent shall electronically transmit a prescription, including that for a controlled substance, directly to a pharmacy. Certain exemptions are outlined in this part of the law.

Administrative Rules and Frequently Asked Questions

Michigan Board of Pharmacy Administrative Rules-General

Michigan Board of Pharmacy Administrative Rules-Controlled Substance

Michigan Opioid/Controlled Substance Laws-Frequently Asked Questions