Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) and Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Richmond) announced today that their law, Chapter 447 of 2012 known as I-STOP takes effect today. Joining them is Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Robert Annicharico from Delco Drugs, Jeff Reynolds, Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, and mother Teri Kroll.
I-STOP is an Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing of prescription drugs to curb the diversion and abuse of such drugs and to promote the safe and effective use of prescription medications. I-STOP establishes a real-time database (PMP Registry) for prescription and monitoring by tracking the dispensing of prescription drugs to be used by practitioners and pharmacists, and implements mandatory phase in of electronic prescribing eventually eliminating the need for paper prescriptions. This law provides practitioners with the proper tools to assess patients and prevent them from diverting or abusing prescription drugs.
Assemblyman Cusick and Senator Lanza, who were on the forefront of this issue working with practitioners, doctors, pharmacists, law enforcement agencies, substance abuse agencies and pain addiction programs passed this law last year due to the escalating prescription drug abuse problem on Staten Island and state-wide. The lawmakers noticed increased abuse in doctor shopping, pharmacy robberies, stolen prescription pads, and emergency room visits by abusers and addicts of prescription medications.
“This law provides appropriate controls to restrict access of abusers and ensure those who profit from the abuse face the necessary consequences. The PMP Registry which takes effect today will provide up-to-date information for practitioners to review and pharmacists to access and will provide the ability to stop a potential drug abuse problem before it starts. I am confident that I-STOP will help to curtail future abuse and cut down on access to certain addictive medications,” said Assemblyman Cusick. “I am grateful for being able to partner with Senator Lanza, Attorney General Schneiderman, Governor Cuomo and Senator Hannon and Assemblyman Gottfried to achieve this landmark law.”
Senator Andrew Lanza said, "Too many families on Staten Island and across New York have suffered the loss of a family member or friend as a result of prescription drug abuse. With this new law, New York State is at the forefront of tackling this epidemic, and giving law enforcement and medical professionals the tools they need to stop abuse before it occurs and save lives. The prescription painkiller epidemic is among the most serious threats to the health and welfare of the people across our Nation and I’m hopeful that this new law will provide the model for other states to combat this serious problem. I thank Governor Cuomo, Attorney General Schneiderman, Assemblyman Cusick and Senator Hannon for their efforts on this legislation that will assist the state in our fight against prescription drug abuse."
“One year ago today I-STOP became law, creating a national model for smart, coordinated communication between health care providers and pharmacists to better serve patients, stop prescription drug trafficking, and provide treatment to those who need help,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Trafficking in illegal prescription drugs poses an enormous danger to the public. I-STOP has already started reducing the supply of opioid painkillers on the street, even before mandatory verification took effect. Now, New York is leading the nation in the fight to protect public from the devastating consequences of prescription drug abuse. ”
New York State became a national leader by enacting I-STOP as one of the first states to require a real-time database for tracking prescription drugs to ensure patients receive the medications they need while putting in safeguards to deter those who seek to abuse them.