JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Legislation to make Missouri the final state to
adopt a statewide monitoring program for prescription opioids continues to face
challenges.
Republican Rep. Holly Rehder said several amendments proposed by her
colleagues on Wednesday would have killed her bill’s chances of passing.
One failed amendment would have required the program to track medical
marijuana as well.
House members ultimately defeated every proposed amendment and voted 110-43 to give the bill initial approval. But if it passes the House it will still need to
go to the Senate, where a similar proposal failed to pass out of committee Wednesday.
The goal of prescription tracking programs is to help physicians and
pharmacists identify potential opioid misuse.
Critics cite privacy concerns about a government-run database and question
their effectiveness in combatting the opioid crisis.
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