Advocates say PDMP needs to be adopted
Missouri will have to wait at least another year before getting a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. It comes right after state lawmakers failed to pass their latest efforts last week.
ABC 17 News reported earlier this year when Jefferson City and Columbia city councils approved a local prescription drug monitoring program. Supporters of the statewide system applaud that effort, but also say it may not have the same effect.
Last week, the state legislature failed to pass the narcotics control act which would have implemented a prescription drug monitoring program.
Supporters say the measure would have helped to curb “doctor shopping” and the abuse of opioids in the state.
“We know there are patients coming in from all eight states coming to our pharmacies,” said Ron Fitzwater of the Missouri Pharmacy Association. “Sometimes stopping at border pharmacies, sometimes going deeper within the state.”
While many cities and counties like Columbia and Jefferson City have already started their own PDMP’s, advocates say those may create as many problems as they solve.
“We have a lot of small counties that may never join in this and then they become the pocket that the drug-seekers go to,” said State Rep. Holly Rehder, (R) of Sikeston.
“Where are folks going to flock to?,” said Fitzwater. “They’re not going to go to a county where a prescription drug monitoring program is working if they can go to a county where it’s not working. We’ve got to get a program in this state, but it’s got to be statewide.”
While opponents to the measure still argue the program would compromise personal privacy, Fitzwater and other supporters say something has to be done to fight a growing problem.
“We’ve got an opioid epidemic in this country and we’ve got to begin to set up these tools to help us address it,” he said.
The Board of the Missouri Pharmacy Association is set to meet in early June to discuss what the next step will be for advocating prescription drug monitoring in the state.
