Schneiderman Lauds Passage Of I-STOP Prescription History Check Program
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Amid a recent trend of abuse and violence involving prescription painkillers, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Wednesday lauded a new measure aimed at stemming the problem, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
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The measure, called I-STOP, which Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing, was recently passed by both houses of the New York State Legislature and is awaiting the signature of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
I-STOP is a first of its kind measure that, among other things, would monitor prescriptions and require doctors and pharmacists to check patient prescription history before supplying drugs.
EXTRA: WCBS 880 Special Series: Bad Medicine - When Painkillers Kill
"I-STOP, we think... it's just going to just make it a lot harder to get these prescriptions and to dispense these drugs," Schneiderman told reporters in Mineola on Wednesday.
It targets the people and problems that lead to prescription drug abuse, said Schneiderman.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice pointed out how big the problem has been.
"We've had dirty pharmacists who accept prescriptions written out in crayon," she said.
Thomas Jan, a pharmacist, said I-STOP would go a long way to controlling the prescription drug epidemic.
"We're shutting off a spigot that has been supplying drugs to people," he told Xirinachs.
"I-STOP will save lives," added Schneiderman.
Four people were shot dead at a Medford pharmacy on Father's Day of 2011 over prescription drugs.
How do you think the prescription drug abuse epidemic can be stopped? Sound off in the comments section below.
