PDMP Bills Heard in House and Senate

This week, the House Insurance Policy Committee heard testimony on HB 188, sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), which would establish a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). A PDMP is a program that would track the quantities of controlled substances prescribed to patients, allowing medical professionals to identify early signs of addiction and prevent doctors from accidentally prescribing dangerous drug combinations.

Missouri is the only state without a statewide PDMP. Sixty counties and the city of St. Louis have already launched their own programs, but those only cover about half of the state's geographic area.  

The House Insurance Policy Committee approved HB 188 by a 13-3 vote. The Senate heard its own version of the bill this week, SB 155, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville), but no vote was taken. The MCC testified in support of both bills.