The Missouri Senate passed a measure on Thursday, April 2, to set-up a prescription drug monitoring database. It would track when prescriptions are written and filled. The goal is to prevent abuse of addictive pills such as painkillers.
The bill includes protections for the data and limits on accessing it, as well as penalties for improper use or sharing of the information.
The Senate version now goes to the House, which approved a similar program. All 49 other states already have similar laws.