Use, distribution and education concerning benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.

(a) Obligations of the Secretary. — The Secretary shall produce and distribute either in written or electronic form to pharmacies, not including institutional pharmacies, pamphlets for consumers relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics that includes educational information about: (1) Misuse and abuse by adults and children; (2) Risk of dependency and addiction; (3) Proper storage and disposal; (4) Addiction support and treatment resources; and (5) A telephone helpline. A pharmacist shall distribute the pamphlet when dispensing a benzodiazepines or a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. (b) Duties of practitioners. — No practitioner shall prescribe a benzodiazepine or a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic to a minor without first obtaining a parent or guardian’s written informed consent except in the case of emergency treatment or for treatment associated with neuromuscular disabilities. The Secretary shall prescribe a form for physicians to use in obtaining such consent. The form shall be written in a manner designed to permit a person unfamiliar with medical terminology to understand its purpose and content, and shall include the following information: (1) Misuse and abuse by adults and children; (2) Risk of dependency and addiction; (3) Possible life threatening risks of minors using the drug for the first time; and (4) Risks associated with long-term use of drugs.