Rockford Sun

At a recent Senate Healthcare & Availability Committee hearing, state Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) explored the goals and benefits of SB1841, a bill filed by Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) that would help monitor abuse of drug prescriptions.

The bill would bring two changes to the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), specifically on the alert to substance-seeking behavior and adding opioid treatment providers to PMP reporting requirements. 

Syverson inquired how increasing the alert threshold would be more beneficial.

“[The] goal is to help with prescription monitoring ... but ... what it is changing is currently if a person has three different doctors prescribing medications at three different pharmacies it raises a red flag,” Syverson said. “You can increase it now to five different doctors using five different pharmacies before it would raise a red flag, so I guess it looks like it is really just the opposite —this is making it more wide-open now before there’s a flag raised. You could be seeking prescriptions for five different doctors being sent to five different pharmacies before any concerns get raised. Am I missing something?”

Kassandra Silva, DHS legislative liaison, explained that the bill also aligns with CDC Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, stating that, “I thought the same thing when I saw the initiative at first. What we found was the bar with the three (different doctors) - three (different pharmacies) was causing alert fatigue, casting too wide of a net. People were being flagged that weren't doing anything. This brings us into alignment with CDC guidelines.”

“Is it that often that an individual would be seeing five different providers and getting five prescriptions to go to five different pharmacies?” Syverson asked. “That seems like quite a high number if we're trying to protect people from abusing or misusing drugs. The current law with three makes sense. Raising it I think is a concern. I understand that there are too many people doing that, but it concerns me why they're seeing so many different doctors and those prescriptions are being sent to totally different pharmacies. I think this raises a flag.”

Syverson, Republican spokesman for the Senate Health, Healthcare Access & Availability, and Insurance committees wanted to know what procedures are followed when an alert is generated. He asked what actions are required of the pharmacies and doctors receiving the report. 

Hunter explained that it alerts the doctor “regarding writing prescriptions for this individual because apparently, they are abusing the system.” 

The bill would create the Advisory Council on Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Impacts on Employment Opportunities within Minority Communities. 

The council would be tasked with advising the DHS regarding the employment of persons with substance use disorders.

Hunter acknowledged Syverson made good points during the hearing and said amendments may be needed. The bill advanced out of the committee with a 7-0 vote.