Legislation that would require prescriptions for controlled substances such as opioids and narcotics be moved to a paperless e-prescription system by 2021 fell short in the Senate on Monday.
The Senate's 11-9 vote on Senate Bill 174, by Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, fell seven votes short of the 18 votes required for approval. The Senate then expunged the vote to allow for another vote in the future.
Hammer said his bill would reduce the opportunity for fraud and is a response to the nation's opioid epidemic, which data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown to be particularly pronounced in Arkansas. Fourteen states have passed similar legislation, and 11 others are considering it, he said. Medicare is aiming to implement an electronic system in 2021, he said.
But Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, warned that the legislation is "a big government mandate" on small businesses, some of which don't have broadband access, and is backed by the "big box pharmacies."
-- Michael R. Wickline
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