DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison advanced a measure that would work to prevent dangerous medication interactions for patients who are prescribed Schedule II stimulants or opioids and Schedule IV benzodiazepines.

 “The Prescription Drug Monitoring program is a vital tool for health care and law enforcement professionals to keep patients safe and prevent dangerous, potentially lethal drug interactions,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “But when prescription interactions are not able to be tracked, we are leaving patients at risk for dangerous drug interactions or being provided repeat prescriptions.”

Since 2000, the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program has helped health care professionals monitor prescription drugs, ensure more effective treatments and prevent potential drug interactions and overdoses. Currently, prescribers are only required to check the PMP when prescribing certain controlled substances, which only paints a partial picture of a patient’s prescription history.

House Bill 5184 would require prescribers to review patient access to controlled substances using the PMP when writing an initial prescription for Schedule II stimulants or opioids, as well as Schedule IV benzodiazepines – ensuring prescribers have access to needed information to prevent dangerous interactions.  

“By expanding this critical program, we are bolstering health care professionals’ ability to access tools they need to make informed decisions when deciding to prescribe medication,” said Morrison.

House Bill 5148 passed the Senate Thursday.