HARRISBURG – Legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of opioid prescriptions and reducing the risk of drug abuse has been sent to the governor for consideration, according to State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33).
As part of Senate Bill 432, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations would have access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, providing another critical layer of oversight. The program was created in 2014 to provide greater monitoring over prescription drugs and potential abuse, and helps healthcare providers safely prescribe opioids, as well as identify patients who may need treatment, or individuals who are illegally diverting prescriptions.
“The legislation will save lives by identifying potential prescription drug abuse, and it will save taxpayer dollars by identifying fraud and reducing the need for drug treatment and rehabilitation among Medicaid recipients,” said Mastriano, who supported the measure.
“I applaud Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill for her foresight and vision in drafting this legislation, because it shows that lawmakers are serious about combatting the opioid crisis,” added Mastriano.
Currently, only prescription drug prescribers, dispensers and the Attorney General and state agencies have access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
Senate Bill 432 builds on recent efforts to combat the deadly heroin and opioid epidemic that claimed the lives of more than 4,200 Pennsylvanians in 2018.
In 2019, the Senate passed a package of bills to combat the state’s heroin and opioid epidemic by improving prescription drug monitoring, limiting opioid prescriptions, targeting drug dealers and taking other steps to limit the damage inflicted by the addiction crisis in Pennsylvania communities.
CONTACT: Scot Pitzer (717) 787-4651; spitzer@pasen.gov