This week, in a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe, Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray acknowledged the seriousness of prescription drug abuse in Massachusetts and highlighted the administration's current efforts to tackle the issue. Lt. Governor Murray admitted that the state's current Prescription Monitoring Program is ineffective.

According to a statement by the Public Health Council: "The Prescription Monitoring Program was established in 1992 by joint regulation between the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Public Health. The Program collects prescription records for Schedule II drugs, dispensed at community, clinic and outpatient pharmacies and hospitals. The data is reviewed by the Department and a Medical Review Group, which is comprised of physicians, dentists, other practitioners and pharmacists."

Lt. Governor Murray stated that the administration has been working to overhaul this program, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and the Governor's Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention. Murray also indicated that recommendations from the OxyContin and Heroin Commission, as well as input from legislators, public safety officials, providers, and community representatives will be incorporated into improvements to the monitoring system.

(Sources: www.boston.com; www.mass.gov)

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse