MO pharmacists push for drug monitoring program

Missouri is the only state in the U.S. without a monitoring program, which would allow doctors to see a patient’s full prescription history.

Wednesday, the Missouri Pharmacist Association gathered at the state capitol to lobby in favor of the measure.

California adopted the first prescription drug monitoring program in 1939, and since then every other state has followed suit except Missouri.

Opponents said such a program will violate the privacy of citizens’ medical records, but supporters say this will better help doctors prevent drug-seeking behaviors in Missouri.

“We are seeing an influx of patients who are seekers who are coming in from out of state to try to fill their prescriptions here in Missouri because they know we don’t have a prescription drug monitoring program,” saidJustin May, president of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.”(The) prescription drug monitoring plan is important for Missouri pharmacists in the health of Missouri patients so we can review drug interactions and make sure that people are getting the appropriate medications.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Holly Rehder, said Missouri is far behind the rest of the country in the battle against drug abuse.

“Where they’re working on phase two or three of different laws and implementations that can help curb addiction, we’re still not even at step one,” said Rehder. “Drug-seekers can get prescriptions from physicians, fill them at different pharmacies all while never be traced in Missouri.”

The bill to implement a prescription drug monitoring program has been assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.