PDMP Passes House Committee

By a vote of 16-1, the House Insurance Policy Committee passed a bill that would create a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). HB 1693, sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), would establish a statewide program through the Department of Health to monitor narcotic drug use in the state. Missouri is the only state in the nation that does not have a PDMP in place. Some counties have taken it upon themselves to monitor prescription drug use, with about 80% of the counties currently covered under this program.

The MCC, along with numerous other groups, testified in favor of the bill, stating that a statewide PDMP would decrease the number of people "doctor shopping" to get drugs. Opponents raised privacy concerns about having a statewide database. The bill now goes to the House Rules Committee for further debate.