May 11, 2021 - After many years of trying, Senator Holly Rehder has successfully passed a statewide prescription drug monitoring program - a program that is, and has been, fully supported by Associated Industries of Missouri.
Senate Bill 63 would establish a statewide program. Currently many regional monitoring programs are working across the state. The program will allow doctors to know the types of prescriptions that have been issued to a particular patient to prevent over-prescribing of medications, doctor shopping, and prescribing of conflicting medications.
Senator Rehder worked throughout eight years in the House of Representatives to pass the measure, finally getting it across the finish line her freshman year in the Missouri Senate.
“Clearly, I don’t give up easily,” Sen. Rehder said. “I’m so very thankful for the bipartisan support. This bill is not about politics, it’s about helping our families and those struggling with substance use disorder. Prescription drug monitoring programs are incredibly effective tools that help medical professionals recognize signs of addiction and prevent dangerous drug interactions. This is a huge step for our state in fighting the opioid epidemic.”
The legislation headed to the governor’s desk limits access to private information to medical professionals, specifically prohibits the information from being used to deny firearm purchases and includes a rolling purge of the data. A task force of health care professionals will administer the new program.
"We are pleased Missouri has finally joined every other state in establishing a statewide monitoring program for prescription drugs," said Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri.
SB 63 is now Truly Agreed and Finally Passed after the bill was adopted by a 91-64 vote in the Missouri House today. The bill now moves to Governor Mike Parson for his approval.
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