legalreader.com: NJ’s Substance Monitoring System Should Reduce Overdose Fatalities

9/16/2020

SARA E. TELLER — September 15, 2020

New Jersey plans to spend more than $1.2 million in federal Medicaid funding to expand a software service which allows medical practitioners to access patients’ opioid prescription history, monitor how much they’re getting and when they’re getting it, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office.  “The state Division of Consumer Affairs runs the prescription monitoring program, which collects information from pharmacies on opioid prescriptions and creates a patient record for health care providers,” it reads.  Officials hope having instant access to medical history will help curtail the crippling opioid epidemic, which has only gotten worse amid the coronavirus pandemic.

New Jersey currently maintains a prescription monitoring program, but this requires most doctors to log in, enter their patient’s information and search the system.  “Attaching prescription histories to the files doctors already pull up during visits would speed the review and give health care professionals a chance to step in if they see signs of substance abuse,” the statement said.

“We are providing hospitals, pharmacies, and other health care providers statewide with enhanced access to a powerful tool to prevent drug addictions from the outset, and intervene before a fatal overdose occurs,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal added.  This way, problematic use can be flagged and a high-risk patient can have a discussion with their doctor.

 

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