Sen. Chuck Weaver is among the fans of a bill Gov. Bruce Rauner signed last week aimed at fighting the opioid crisis sweeping the state and nation.
Starting Jan. 1 participation in the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program for those who prescribe medications will be mandatory.
The program is essentially a database of a patient’s prescription history, which some health experts say prevents over prescribing.
Republican Senator Weaver says this bill is an important step in “our battle to end this crisis”
He adds we must “continue to work with our law enforcement and health providers” to take further action.
Both Weaver and the Governor referred to this curbing “doctor shopping” , or going to multiple doctors to obtain several prescriptions.
Doctors involved with oncology treatment or palliative care, can prescribed a 7-day or less supply when treating acute, traumatic medical conditions.
The bill passed the General Assembly during the November veto session without any opposition.
