Legislation Combating Opioid Abuse Headed to the Governor

Liz Gullett

Dec 15, 2017

This week, the House and Senate granted final approval to legislation aimed at combating the growing epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction. The proposal would mandate more use by prescribers and dispensers of the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS), a state-run program tracking patients and prescribers for Schedule 2 through Schedule 5 controlled substances. The legislation also mandates a bona fide prescriber-patient relationship before a prescriber can prescribe a Schedule 2 – Schedule 5 substance, which is aimed at cracking down on “doctor-shopping.” Additionally, the package mandates the Department of Education develops instruction to educate students on the prescription drug epidemic.

“Nationwide the opioid abuse epidemic continues to rapidly increase. Back in 2016, Governor Rick Snyder created the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission, to help combat this crisis,” stated Tony Des Chenes of MLC. The legislation that was passed this week is the latest step the state has taken to tackle the every-growing crisis.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.