New Michigan laws will make keeping track of opioid prescriptions a lot simpler!
Drug use is rising, both in Michigan and all over the United State. This is common knowledge. So if the ‘war on drugs‘ has been declared a failure and substance abuse is actually worse now than it was when the government first decided to crack down on the use and abuse of illicit substances, what can we do about? Is there a viable solution, and can it be implemented in a way that effectively saves lives without costing the state and the nation, a fortune?
Governor Rick Snyder seems to think so. Snyder recently revealed a bipartisan package of bills that aims to reduce opportunities for developing addiction, thereby nipping the problem in the bud. So what preventative measures do they hope to implement, and how do they plan to make the necessary changes? It’ll work like this…
The Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) is an online database that tracks prescription drugs, who they were issued to and which doctor wrote the prescription. It aims to provide prescribers with an easy to use portal to a database of statewide prescription information. That way, they can easily obtain information about controlled substances and Schedule 2-5 drugs that a patient may have previously had prescribed, and make informed decisions about future prescriptions. In short, our MAPS system allows pharmacists, doctors, hospitals, clinics, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to see your prescription history. It also allows the government access to that same information.
MAPS will make tracking prescriptions for opioids in Michigan so much easier for doctors.
In a recent press release, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said that Michigan will be taking an active role in saving lives and providing second chances to Michiganders by “working to prevent overdose deaths. While we’ve made some progress, people are still becoming addicted and tragically dying from overdoses, so our work is far from over. This new strategy focuses on primary prevention in hopes that we can reduce opioid misuse and prevent addiction from occurring in the first place.”
There are a number of issue that the legislation hopes to address, but some of the more prominent ones are to do with tracking prescriptions, educating the public, and penalizing ‘over-prescribing’ physicians. For example, the new legislation will:
- Require prescribers to obtain reports from MAPS before prescribing or dispensing Schedule 2 through 5 controlled substances to a patient
- Require disciplinary action if a prescriber is not obtaining reports from MAPS
- Increase penalties for physicians and pharmacists who wrongfully prescribe, dispense, manufacture or distribute controlled substances
- Require prescribers to have a bona-fide physician-patient relationship with a patient before prescribing a Schedule 2 through 5 controlled substance
- Require schools to include education on opioids and the potential for addiction in health education curriculum
For the full list of changes to the law addressed by this bill package, and information about which Senators and Representatives sponsored which bills, please read this complete list provided by the Michigan government.
Drug crimes are taken very seriously in Michigan, whether it is the production and sale of illicit substances, the abuse of legally obtained prescription drugs, or the purchase of legal items with the intention of creating illegal drugs. So if you or a loved one are facing drug-related charges, contact us immediately at 866 766 5245. We will fight vigorously and persistently to protect your rights and reputation. We have handled hundreds of drug cases successfully throughout the state of Michigan, and we can help you too.