New Prescription Monitoring Law Takes Effect

A new law requiring physicians to check a patient database before prescribing certain drugs such as oxycodone took effect in Oklahoma on Nov. 1. The law is intended to curb “doctor shopping,” in which patients visit multiple physicians with requests for prescription narcotics. The goal is to reduce opioid drug abuse. The law requires the doctor to check the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Prescription Monitoring Program database before prescribing opiates, synthetic opiates, semi-synthetic opiates, benzodiazepine or carisoprodol. The PMP check is required for new patients or ...