Document Citation: 9 CCR 10385

Header:
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 9. REHABILITATIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
DIVISION 4. DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS
CHAPTER 4. NARCOTIC TREATMENT PROGRAMS
SUBCHAPTER 5. PATIENT TREATMENT
ARTICLE 4. TAKE-HOME MEDICATION PRIVI

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:
9 CCR 10385 (2011)

§ 10385. Exceptions to Take-Home Medication Criteria. and Dosage Schedules

(a) The medical director or program physician may grant an exception to take-home medication criteria and dosage schedules as set forth in sections 10370(b) and 10375 for any of the following reasons:

(1) The patient has a physical disability or chronic, acute, or terminal illness that makes daily attendance at the program a hardship. The program must verify the patient's physical disability or illness, and include medical documentation of the disability or illness in the patient's record. The patient shall not be given at any one time, more than a two-week take-home supply of medication.

(2) The patient has an exceptional circumstance, such as a personal or family crisis, that makes daily attendance at the program a hardship. When the patient must travel out of the program area, the program shall attempt to arrange for the patient to receive his or her medication at a program in the patient's travel area. The program shall document such attempts in the patient's record. The patient shall not be given at any one time, more than a one-week take-home supply of medication.

(3) The patient would benefit, as determined by the medical director or program physician, from receiving his or her medication in two split doses, with one portion dispensed as a take-home dose, when the medical director or program physician has determined that split doses would be more effective in blocking opiate abstinence symptoms that an increased dosage level.

(b) Prior to granting an exception to Sections 10370(b) and 10375, the medical director or program physician shall determine that the patient is responsible in handling narcotic medications as specified in Section 10370(a).

(c) The medical director or program physician shall document in the patient's record the granting of any exception and the facts justifying the exception.

(d) The Department may grant additional exceptions to the take-home medication requirements contained in this Section in the case of an emergency or natural disaster, such as fire, flood, or earthquake.