Stumbo Urges Support For Prescription Drug Bill

• {Frankfort, Kentucky}...Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene in Frankfort on Thursday for the final day of this year's legislative session. The prescription drug bill is one of several matters on the agenda. Despite opposition from the Kentucky Medical Association, House Speaker Greg Stumbo issued a memo  Tuesday calling for lawmakers to support legislation aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse. Stumbo cited research that suggests doctors are prescribing high doses of painkillers that are being abused by addicts, many of whom are dying from overdoses. Under the legislation, all doctors would be required to use the prescription monitoring system, known as KASPER, and that pain management clinics be owned by physicians licensed in Kentucky. Stumbo says, "It is a reasonable, fair and much needed law that will encourage doctors to ensure that these powerful drugs are used in appropriate cases and not freely given out and diverted to the black market."