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Ky., Ohio, Tenn. and W.Va. join forces to fight prescription-drug abuse amid questions about use of Ky. system
Kentucky has formed a partnership with Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia to help fight prescription drug abuse, "even as questions linger over how well the state has used its own electronic monitoring resources," reports Mike Wynn of The Courier-Journal.
The Interstate Prescription Drug Task Force will comprise about 30 experts from law enforcement and drug agencies. They are charged to come up with ways to lessen prescription drug abuse and sales. "We do a good job from a law enforcement standpoint, but by working together, we can better identify prescribers, dispensers and patients who are exploiting our borders," Gov. Steve Beshear said in announcing the task force Wednesday.
Task force members will share drug information the state collects on who receives and prescribes certain medications. Kentucky's system is known as KASPER, short for Kentucky's All Schedule Prescription Electronic Recording system. How well the data compiled by the system are being used came into question last week when House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonburg, pressed the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure to explain why it wasn't analyzing the numbers, which it had asked for permission to obtain, Wynn notes.
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Board Of Medical Licensure To Amend Pill-mill Regulations To Address Concerns Of Doctors And Some Patients
The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure wants to change some of the more controversial requirements for urine screenings and digital monitoring in the state?s new prescription-drug regulations under the law aimed at fighting doctor shopping and "pill...
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Beshear Oks Prescription Bill, Telling Pill Mills, 'get Out Of This State'
Saying it couldn't get to his desk quickly enough, Gov. Steve Beshear signed a bill aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse in celebration today, warning so-called pill mills to "Get out of this state, because we're coming after you." House Bill...
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Beshear Tells National Audience Legislature Should Pass Pill-mill Bill
Today, Gov. Steve Beshear again called on legislators to pass a bill Thursday that would crack down on so-called pill mills and thus curb prescription drug abuse. Speaking at the National Prescription Drug Abuse Summit in Orlando, Beshear asked for comprehensive...
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In Bipartisan Way, Political Leaders Push Passage Of 'pill Mill' Bill
A bipartisan group of political leaders issued a call today "to pass a bill that will help the state battle one of its most significant threats ? prescription drug abuse," a press release from Gov. Steve Beshear's office said. Beshear, Attorney General...
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New Florida Laws Helping Stem Flow Of Pills, But Loopholes Remain And Trade Is Shifting To Other States
Though pill mills continue to be a big problem in Florida, where lax laws have fueled Kentucky's prescription pill trade, there is evidence that the tides are slowly turning in the Sunshine State. "Registered pain clinics in Florida have dropped from...
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