St. Paul, MN—On Monday, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law Senate File 1440, authored in the House by Assistant Majority Leader Dave Baker (R-Willmar). Senate File 1440 expands Minnesota’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) by requiring prescribers and pharmacists to register and maintain a user account with the program.
"I'm grateful to Governor Dayton and my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support of this life-saving legislation," Rep. Baker said. "I don't want another family to have to experience loss related to opioid abuse—that's why I've worked hard this session to address mental health and chemical dependency. This bill is a strong first step that will help the medical community become partners in fighting Minnesota's growing opioid crisis.”
Starting in July 2017, professionals that are certified to prescribe Schedule II drugs must register and create a user account with the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program. This allows doctors, dentists, surgeons, eye specialists, and other prescribers to examine a patient’s opioid prescription history. The bill also allows medical boards to investigate complaints regarding prescribing amounts and habits to ensure overprescribing or diversion is not happening.
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