The state of California is trying hard to control an epidemic of those becoming addicted to painkillers. Reporter David Haldane says a new law would combat “doctor shopping”…
Ever been tempted to go “doctor shopping” for pain pill prescriptions you don’t really need? A new law in effect this month will make it a whole lot harder.
“We need to know that that’s happening so that we can identify if those patients are at risk to accidentally overdose or if those patients may be developing an addiction. And then, we can try to get them the proper help.”
That’s Dr. Anna Lembke, chief of addiction medicine at Stanford University, speaking of the new Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System allowing doctors to track prescriptions throughout California.
Lembke says there were more prescription-related deaths in 2014 than ever before.
But the new database won’t help unless doctors use it. Have no fear; Senate Bill 482, now in committee, will force them to check.
NEW LAW TO CONTROL PAIN PILL ADDICTION
