Prescription Monitoring Program (S 2763A)

In March, the Affiliate testified before the Senate Health and Human Services committee in opposition to legislation sanctioning the creation of an electronic prescription monitoring database, which will record and make available to law enforcement the prescription information of any individual receiving a medication which appears on the controlled substances list, including some psychiatric medications and low-risk painkillers.  While a prescription monitoring database already exists in Rhode Island, it exists for high-level controlled substances only, and operates with virtually no regulation or oversight.  Currently, law enforcement needs only to certify in writing that they are pursuing an active investigation, and may receive an individual’s entire prescription record.  The ACLU and the Department of Health collaborated on a final version of the bill containing protections for prescription information – and requiring law enforcement to possess a warrant before accessing such information – ensuring patients will be able to obtain necessary medications without harassment or privacy concerns.  This version passed the full Senate, but failed to move out of committee in the House.