State officials say a new database launched last week will help identify potential prescription drug abusers.
The controlled substances database is a new tool that tracks the drug usage habits among patients. The database monitors only certain classes of drugs, such as Hydrocodone, a generic form of a powerful painkiller that can be addictive.
Meredith Sullivan is the Assistant Commissioner for the State’s Regulatory Boards. She says from now on, it’ll be harder for someone to abuse the system without getting caught.
“If we are aware of an individual that may be shopping prescriptions, then we can send out an alert to all of the practitioners within a certain geographic area. We understand that there are potential abusers within the system, and we just want to make sure we provide appropriate education to the practitioners and allow them to provide the best treatment options to their patients.”
Sullivan says the database will also track the prescribing patterns of pharmacists and doctors. An advisory committee will then study the data to determine trends and further action, if necessary.
The database could also be used by law enforcement to prosecute cases, though the information will not automatically be made available to them.
Information about the prescriptions dispensed and to whom will have to be submitted twice a month.
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