O’Dea Supports Rx Drug Safety Bill

HARTFORD- State Rep. Thomas O’Dea (New Canaan & Wilton) supported a proposal to require the Department of Consumer Protection to collect prescription information to prevent improper or illegal drug use.
Under the proposal, pharmacists must electronically report certain drug information to DCP, including the dispensing date, dispenser identification and prescription number, and certain patient identification data.
Currently, the program collects information on schedules II through V controlled substances. The bill allows the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) commissioner to identify additional products to be included in the program.
“Prescription drug abuse is a problem of epidemic proportions in our country. Emergency Room visits involving misuse or abuse of prescription drugs more than doubled between 2004 and 2010, and prescription medications are now the most commonly abused drugs among 12 and 13 year olds. This bill will help reduce the availability of prescription drugs to Connecticut’s youth,” said Rep. O’Dea.
The bill now heads to the State Senate for final approval.
