Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, R, faced immediate scrutiny after signing an executive order last week to create a state prescription drug monitoring program. Unlike other PDMPs, the Missouri program would not permit physicians and pharmacists to access the database.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., called for a stronger law, encouraging the governor to grant "law enforcement, pharmacies and doctors the tools they need" to fight the opioid problem.
Mr. Greitens believes the PDMP outlined in his executive order is enough. "This is a really strong approach that we've put in place with our executive order," he told St. Louis Public Radio, when asked about Ms. McCaskill's comments.
"But I think what's giving people such confidence is that we're willing to step out and to take action to save lives … The point of a prescription drug monitoring program is to make sure that you can look at the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. What our program allow us to do is it allows our Department of Health and Senior Services to see the source of the problem."
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