Missouri to become final state to adopt medication database

(AP) Missouri is the last state to adopt a statewide prescription drug database to flag possible opioid misuse.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed the bill into law. The law enables a statewide database to provide doctors and pharmacists with a patient’s prescription history. The goal is to help medical professionals track if patients are getting more pain killers or other potentially addictive medications than they should so they can provide substance-abuse treatment.

Missouri lawmakers have struggled to pass the program for years over primarily Republican concerns about patient privacy.