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Bill

S 1406

An Act relative to the prescription monitoring program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Hawkins and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill modifies its Prescription Monitoring Program to strengthen oversight of controlled substance prescriptions and reduce drug abuse and diversion risks.

Accompanied a study order, see S2972
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Bill Summary · S 1406

Legislative bill overview

S 1406 proposes modifications to Massachusetts' Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), a statewide database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions to identify potential drug abuse and diversion. The bill aims to strengthen oversight, improve data access protocols, or modify participation requirements for healthcare providers and pharmacies—though specific amendments are not detailed in the provided legislative history.

Why is this important

Prescription monitoring programs are critical public health tools for combating opioid abuse and prescription drug diversion, which have contributed significantly to overdose deaths. Changes to Massachusetts' PMP could affect how effectively medical providers identify at-risk patients, reduce inappropriate prescribing, and coordinate care across healthcare systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and access concerns: Expanding who can access PMP data or how frequently prescribers must check it raises questions about patient privacy protections and medical record confidentiality versus public health necessity
  • Provider burden and compliance costs: New requirements for healthcare providers or pharmacies to participate or report more frequently may increase administrative costs and workload, particularly for smaller practices
  • Balancing treatment access: Stricter monitoring or reporting could inadvertently discourage appropriate pain management for legitimate patients with chronic conditions or create friction in doctor-patient relationships

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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