Louisiana Tightens Rules to Prevent ‘Doctor Shopping’ for Opioid Drugs

Louisiana lawmakers have ordered physicians to consult a statewide prescription monitoring program before prescribing opioid drugs.

The Senate approved minor changes the House had made to Sen. Fred Mills’ bill and sent the legislation to Gov. John Bel Edwards. Edwards has publicly supported the measure, which he hopes will help fight the country’s opioid epidemic.

The monitoring program already exists, but doctors had not previously been required to use it.