Physicians are concerned that proposed pain clinic regulation in Kentucky will restrict the ability to effectively treat patients, according to an editorial written by Kentucky Medical Association President Shawn Jones, MD.
The proposed legislation would allow the Attorney General to access the state's centralized patient pain prescription database, KASPER, which would shift the purpose of the database from keeping tightly controlled, sensitive information to functioning as a law enforcement tool, said Dr. Jones.
The legislation may also discourage physicians from prescribing pain medication for fear of failing to comply with the heightened documentation requirements, he added.
"This is clearly overreach and will affect any patient trying to get treatment for the smallest amount of pain," said Dr. Jones.
St. Louis University Pain Researcher Awarded Grant to Study Cancer Pain
Florida County Likely to Extend Ban on New Pain Clinics
The proposed legislation would allow the Attorney General to access the state's centralized patient pain prescription database, KASPER, which would shift the purpose of the database from keeping tightly controlled, sensitive information to functioning as a law enforcement tool, said Dr. Jones.
The legislation may also discourage physicians from prescribing pain medication for fear of failing to comply with the heightened documentation requirements, he added.
"This is clearly overreach and will affect any patient trying to get treatment for the smallest amount of pain," said Dr. Jones.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Congress Targets 'Gray Market' Pharmacies Selling Overpriced PainkillersSt. Louis University Pain Researcher Awarded Grant to Study Cancer Pain
Florida County Likely to Extend Ban on New Pain Clinics