FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 1, 2013) — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a measure Thursday that would make changes to legislation known as the pill mill bill that was approved during the 2012 special legislative session.
The 2012 legislation regulated pain management clinics and mandated use by physicians and pharmacists of the state’s prescription drug monitoring system, KASPER, among other things.
According to House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, who testified before the committee, the so-called pill mill bill has proven effective in addressing the state’s prescription drug abuse problem, but could be improved by some minor adjustments.
House Bill 217, sponsored by Stumbo and Rep. John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville, would exempt hospitals, long-term care facilities and end-of-life care programs from some of HB 1’s restrictions on prescribing and dispensing narcotics.
The measure would also allow doctors to administer blood or urine tests at their discretion to help monitor patients’ use of drugs being prescribed without mandating such tests in every case, Stumbo said.
“These are logical steps… to make sure we are not burdening these groups,” said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester.
House Bill 217 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
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