Permit an opioid treatment program to be developed if part of a clinical trial, approved by an institutional review board

HB 228 allows West Virginia to create an opioid treatment program specifically for a clinical trial comparing office-based methadone and buprenorphine to improve patient retention. To qualify, the program must receive approval from an institutional review board, register with the Board of Pharmacy, and operate only for the duration of the study. The bill also permits advanced practice registered nurses participating in this trial to dispense medications and exceed standard prescription limits while the trial is active. These changes are designed to facilitate a specific research project without altering the general rules for opioid treatment programs or nurse prescribing authority outside of the trial context.