A Senate panel has backed legislation to create a statewide database for tracking some prescription drug purchases, despite concerns raised by opponents who say it’s an invasion of privacy.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Tuesday advanced the proposal by Democratic Sen. Percy Malone of Arkadelphia to create a prescription drug monitoring program. The Department of Health would be able to review information on some prescription drug purchases to track drug abuse and could share the information with law enforcement.
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The ACLU of Arkansas has taken a strong stand against the bill:
The government wants to know what is in your medicine cabinet
SB 345 – ESTABLISHING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM.PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL YOUR SENATOR TODAY AND SAY “VOTE NO ON SB 345, THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING BILL.” CONTACT INFORMATION AT http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/senators.html.
Let’s keep the doors of our medicine cabinets shut!This bill would call for the establishment of a drug database and monitoring program. There is no reason the government should know your 8-year-old daughter is taking Ritalin or your 80-year-old grandfather is taking Viagra.
There are not enough privacy protections.
There are insufficient protections against unconstitutional fishing through prescriptions by law enforcement.CALL OR EMAIL NOW!! PASS IT ON. POSSIBLY THE WORST BILL OF THE SESSION SO FAR.