DPH recently released a notice outlining new requirements for providers prescribing benzodiazepines, which are tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax, or Halcion. In the past, prescribers were required to check MassPAT (the commonwealth’s prescription monitoring program) before issuing benzodiazepine to a patient for the first time. The new directive requires prescribers to check MassPAT before every prescription for a benzodiazepine. DPH also suggests clinicians consider prescribing naloxone to patients they are prescribing benzodiazepine.