The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
Garrett J. Bradley
Barbara A. L'Italien
James E. Timilty
John W. Scibak
Jennifer M. Callahan
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. In order to prevent prescription medication abuse, the department of public health shall expand the state’s prescription monitoring program. The department shall:
(a) Increase the analytic capability of the current prescription drug monitoring program so that prescriptions can be analyzed for irregular patterns detected.
(b) Develop a confidential reporting system for individuals licensed to prescribe medication according to Section 9 of Chapter 94C of the Massachusetts general laws in order to identify atypical patterns of prescription refills among patients.
(c) Expand the list of drugs monitored by the prescription drug monitoring program to include prescription medications beyond the schedule II drugs currently being reported.
(d) Modify current regulations so that prescription medication data shall be accessible to, but not limited to, pharmacists, individuals licensed to prescribe medication according to Section 9 of Chapter 94C of the Massachusetts general laws, the board of registration in medicine, the board of registration of nursing, the board of registration of pharmacy, and law enforcement agencies as permitted under existing privacy laws.
(e) Improve the prescription drug monitoring program software and applications to take advantage of current technologies that include a secure, internet-based application that is accurate in real-time.
SECTION 2. The department shall report its plan and budget to carry out provisions within this section within twelve months of passage of this act.
SECTION 3. The department shall comply with the provisions of this bill within 24 months of passage of this act.