Texas state lawmakers looking to combat prescription drug abuse are poised to propose that doctors be encouraged to use online databases identifying patients who "doctor shop" for medications.
The Austin American Statesman reports that some legislators have supported new laws that would mandate that physicians use monitoring databases.
But bills simply urging them to use databases are more likely to be considered when the Legislature reconvenes Jan. 13.
The databases are designed to flag patients who visit multiple doctors, hoping to stockpile drugs.
Texas legislative committees that examined prescription drug abuse also agree that Texas should interactively share its drug monitoring database with other states.
Discussion ahead of the upcoming session didn't focus on punishing doctors who violate prescription regulations. But that may also eventually be proposed.
