ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Beginning next month, pharmacists and other practitioners who dispense controlled substances in New Mexico will have to report prescription and patient information much more frequently.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/AuAMWy) that the state Board of Pharmacy believes that the new requirements that take effect in April will be a powerful tool in preventing substance abuse.
State officials will use the monitoring system to make sure doctors and other medical providers aren't overprescribing the so-called gateway drugs that lead to heroin use.
Those drugs include prescription opioid medications like oxycodone, morphine, methadone and hydrocodone.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.