Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris announces rollout of more secure prescription drug database
OxyContin pills. Some doctors have said that a new state prescription drug database will be incompatible with their computer systems, hobbling their access to the tool which is meant to combat drug abuse.
California healthcare providers will soon be using a faster and more secure database aimed at combating drug abuse.
State Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris and the California Department of Consumer Affairs announced Tuesday that providers who log in with secure Web browsers starting Jan. 8 will be using the new version of the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, known as CURES 2.0.
The system is designed to prevent overdoses and illegal sales of prescription drugs. It also helps guard against patients receiving narcotics from multiple physicians or taking harmful combinations of drugs.
“This innovative prescription drug database ensures that California continues to lead the fight against our country’s prescription drug abuse epidemic,†Harris said in a statement.
The CURES database allows providers to review a patient’s medication history before prescribing new drugs, according to the statement. More than 5.5 million such requests have been processed so far in 2015 alone.
After a Times investigation found that it was underused and underfunded, legislators increased funding for the system in 2013.
Harris sent a letter to providers stressing that they use secure software only to access patient information, according to the statement.
The rollout was delayed six months after the California Medical Assn. objected, saying it would be incompatible with their computer systems.
The medical association says it’s hopeful the issues have been worked out and will continue working with officials, said spokeswoman Molly Weedn.
“We ... will be keeping our membership abreast of any changes or concerns as the rollout continues in the new year,†Weedn said.
Bob Pack, a patient safety advocate, expressed optimism for the new system in the attorney general’s statement.
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“CURES 2.0 is without a doubt the most effective tool for doctors and pharmacists to help curb prescription drug abuse,†Pack said. “Many lives will be saved in California.â€
By law, the deadline for health practitioners licensed to prescribe or dispense scheduled medications to sign up for CURES is July 1, according to the statement. The new system allows users to apply for access and verify credentials online.
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Times reporter Melanie Mason contributed to this report.
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