New Mexico's pharmacy and medical boards will consider proposals this summer requiring physicians to participate in a statewide prescription drug monitoring program, according to a Santa Fe New Mexican report.
On June 21, the boards will consider a proposal to increase the number of prescribers who use the state's prescription-drug monitoring program. Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists and certified nurse practitioners would be required to register and train for the program when they complete their controlled-substance registration.
A separate proposal to be considered in August would require providers to use the drug monitoring program when prescribing certain controlled substances to first-time patients and when extending opioid prescriptions for established patients.
The proposals aim to cub hydrocodone and OxyContin addictions in light of Department of Health statistics revealing that New Mexico's drug overdose death rate is the highest in the country. The sale of opioid drugs in the state increased 131 percent from 2001 to 2010.
Other states, including New York, Tennessee and Kentucky, have also introduced legislation to more closely regulate the use of state prescription drug monitoring programs this year.
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On June 21, the boards will consider a proposal to increase the number of prescribers who use the state's prescription-drug monitoring program. Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists and certified nurse practitioners would be required to register and train for the program when they complete their controlled-substance registration.
A separate proposal to be considered in August would require providers to use the drug monitoring program when prescribing certain controlled substances to first-time patients and when extending opioid prescriptions for established patients.
The proposals aim to cub hydrocodone and OxyContin addictions in light of Department of Health statistics revealing that New Mexico's drug overdose death rate is the highest in the country. The sale of opioid drugs in the state increased 131 percent from 2001 to 2010.
Other states, including New York, Tennessee and Kentucky, have also introduced legislation to more closely regulate the use of state prescription drug monitoring programs this year.
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