PANEL LOOKS TO IMPROVE DRUG-SALES DATABASE

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A state panel including lawmakers, doctors and law
enforcement is looking at ways to improve Kentucky's electronic database of
prescription drug sales.

Among other goals, the panel is trying to streamline the system to monitor
illegal prescription drug activity faster while maintaining federal
requirements for patient privacy.

"I think any time there's this large and widespread of a problem that it
becomes a problem, obviously, of society," said Rep. Greg Stumbo, the House
majority leader and committee co-chairman. "The only entity that can solve
it is government."

Currently, the state maintains a database called Kentucky All Schedule
Prescription Electronic Reporting. The system is intended as a tool for
doctors, pharmacists and law enforcement to monitor and curb illegal
prescription drug abuse.

Patient information - including name, Social Security number and address -
is compiled into the database after prescriptions are filled. That
information is available to doctors, pharmacists, grand juries and police.

Doctors and pharmacists can use the information in writing and filling
prescriptions. Police agencies with "bona fide" investigations can see how
many times a potential suspect is writing or receiving prescriptions.

New prescriptions don't get compiled for about 30 days, and people
requesting the reports have to wait anywhere from four hours to a week,
said Dr. Steve Davis, director of the Health Services Cabinet's Division of
Adult and Child Health.

Doctors should get a patient's prescription history back sooner so they can
get the correct medications, Davis said.

"The only way that it can help you as a doctor is to get that information
back quickly," Davis said.

Drug investigators also should be able to access the database information
timely enough to catch someone who may be writing inappropriate
prescriptions or a patient who is "doctor-shopping," Davis said.