State House OKs drug monitoring program

A bill sponsored by a local state representative to implement a prescription drug monitoring program has been approved by the Missouri House of Representatives and is making its way through the Senate.

Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, has been pushing for the program for a few years and went into this year's legislative session calling the bill one of her top priorities.

Missouri is the sole state without a statewide drug-monitoring program. Rehder's bill specifically focuses on potentially addictive medicines, such as opiate pain relievers.

Supporters of the measure consider the database a tool to help reduce prescription drug abuse and keep doctors from prescribing unnecessary medications to patients who may be "doctor-shopping."

Others oppose the bill they say many Missourians would consider an invasion of privacy.

House Bill 130 still is in the early stages of consideration in the Senate, and as of Thursday afternoon had yet to be referred to a committee.