On October 22, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law SB 1180 which fulfilled recommendations developed by the heroin and other opioids workgroup that he convened in May to address the prescription drug abuse problem in Pennsylvania and complete the final piece of his Healthy Pennsylvania plan. The workgroup recommendations included the expansion of current initiatives, collaboration between both public and private sectors, and working with state lawmakers.
"Prescription drug monitoring will provide access for health care professionals to enhance a patient's coordination of care so that we can support individuals who suffer with prescription drug addiction," Gov. Corbett said. "The other legislation I'm signing today will reform physician dispensing in the state's workers' compensation system, saving Pennsylvania employers approximately $13 million annually in the cost of their workers' compensation premiums."
SB 1180 is the final piece of Governor Corbett's Healthy Pennsylvania plan, announced last September, to be fully approved to enter the implementation phase. Sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), it establishes the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) database within the Department of Health. The electronic data monitoring system will maintain a record of controlled substances that are prescribed and dispensed in the commonwealth, for the purpose of improving patient care.
"A strong and effective prescription drug monitoring program will result in better health outcomes for Pennsylvanians," Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Carrie DeLone said. "Healthcare professionals will now be able to check if their patient recently had a prescription filled and either safely prescribe medication or identify individuals who may have a prescription drug addiction so that they can be properly referred for treatment."
The bill also creates an ABC-MAP board that will oversee the establishment and management of the program. For more information, visit www.pa.gov.
"Prescription drug monitoring will provide access for health care professionals to enhance a patient's coordination of care so that we can support individuals who suffer with prescription drug addiction," Gov. Corbett said. "The other legislation I'm signing today will reform physician dispensing in the state's workers' compensation system, saving Pennsylvania employers approximately $13 million annually in the cost of their workers' compensation premiums."
SB 1180 is the final piece of Governor Corbett's Healthy Pennsylvania plan, announced last September, to be fully approved to enter the implementation phase. Sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), it establishes the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) database within the Department of Health. The electronic data monitoring system will maintain a record of controlled substances that are prescribed and dispensed in the commonwealth, for the purpose of improving patient care.
"A strong and effective prescription drug monitoring program will result in better health outcomes for Pennsylvanians," Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Carrie DeLone said. "Healthcare professionals will now be able to check if their patient recently had a prescription filled and either safely prescribe medication or identify individuals who may have a prescription drug addiction so that they can be properly referred for treatment."
The bill also creates an ABC-MAP board that will oversee the establishment and management of the program. For more information, visit www.pa.gov.
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