To: The Tennessee State House, The Tennessee State Senate, and Governor Bill Lee

Control Prescription Drug Trafficking

As a result of prescription pain abuse, someone dies every 19 minutes. The Electronic Health Record (EHR)is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. This record is already in place and needs to be utilized for every individual prescribing or obtaining prescription pain medication. If attaching to this application is not feasible, a national data base needs to be developed to be shared by all states. A task force needs to be assigned to maintain accountability for every individual dispensing and/or receiving prescription pain medication. Ultimately, it should tract by patient, doctor (or representative), clinic and pharmacy. A program should be in place to set off red flags when certain levels are reached. To present a full picture, tracking of every pain medication prescribed for an individual must be included. Action to stop continued abuse must be taken immediately when the red flags are presented.

Why is this important?

Every 19 minutes someone dies from prescription drug abuse. The state and federal governments and drug companies must help in controlling manufacturing, responsibility and accountability of these drugs. Pills mills need to go away before more lives are lost!