Nesbit’s Bill Requiring Electronic Prescriptions of Opioids Goes to Governor
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer/Butler) said today that legislation he sponsored to require opioids to be prescribed electronically will not only bring consistency in the way prescriptions are filled, but will also prevent the fraudulent use of prescription pads to fuel the opioid crisis.
“This legislation is a commonsense measure to prevent the theft of prescription pads while also making it more convenient for patients who have a legitimate need for this medication,” said Nesbit. “I want to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for recognizing that this proposal is a step in the right direction. I look forward to the governor’s prompt consideration of it.”
Nesbit authored the bill because under current state law, opioids must be prescribed by hand, which lends itself to fraudulent use and theft. His
House Bill 353 would require opioids to be prescribed electronically, allowing doctors to send their orders directly to the patient’s pharmacy and preventing handwritten prescriptions from being used fraudulently or stolen.
“I want to ensure patients who have a recognized need for these prescriptions that this should not make it more difficult for them at their local pharmacy,” Nesbit added. “In fact, electronic prescriptions may even provide greater convenience for patients, who would not have to pick up a prescription from their doctor, deliver it to the pharmacy and wait for it to be filled. It can be prescribed and transmitted like all other prescriptions.”
Another benefit of e-prescribing is that the tracking of the prescription can go directly to the prescription drug monitoring database, implemented last year, to ensure that only those who have a legitimate medical need for these prescriptions can access them.
Once reaching the desk of the governor, he has 10 days to act on the legislation.
To view Nesbit’s video comments on the passage and importance of the bill, click here.
Representative Tedd Nesbit
8th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
(717) 705-2094
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
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