(7/16/2010)Delaware Establishes Tracking Database for the Misuse of Rx Drugs

On Thursday, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed a law (SB 235) that authorizes the state Office of Controlled Substances to create a prescription drug monitoring database that aims to reduce prescription drug misuse and "doctor shopping" by individuals with drug addictions, the Newark Post reports (Newark Post, 7/15).

Under the law, pharmacies not located in health care facilities will be required to report specific information regarding prescriptions for controlled substances.

Physicians will be able to use the database before writing prescriptions to screen for individuals who misuse prescription drugs and to check for potentially dangerous drug interactions (Wilmington News Journal, 7/16).

According to Markell, arrests related to the misuse of prescription drugs in Delaware have increased by more than 600% since 2003 (Eichmann, WHYY, 7/15).

Rx Drug Misuse Increases Nationwide

In related news, admissions at medical facilities for misuse of prescription pain relievers have increased by more than 400% over the past 10 years, according to a study released Thursday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HealthDay reports.

The increase occurred across all age, gender, race and ethnic groups, as well as all education levels and U.S. regions.

The study is based on data attained from SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set, a reporting system for treatment facilities throughout the country (Preidt, HealthDay, 7/15).

Keywords: Delaware, misuse of Rx Drugs