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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 85. Board of Medicine
Chapter 21. Regulations Governing Prescribing of Opioids and Buprenorphine
1/14/2025

18VAC85-21-160. Special populations in treatment for opioid use disorder.

A. Patients younger than 16 years of age shall not be prescribed buprenorphine for addiction treatment unless such treatment is approved by the FDA.

B. The progress of patients with chronic pain shall be assessed by reduction of pain and functional objectives that can be identified, quantified, and independently verified.

C. Practitioners shall (i) evaluate patients with medical comorbidities by history, physical exam, and appropriate laboratory studies and (ii) be aware of interactions of buprenorphine with other prescribed medications.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2928.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 23, eff. August 8, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 7, eff. January 2, 2025.

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