Using Technology to Battle the Opioid Crisis

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker recently signed legislation that represents a comprehensive approach to battling opioid addiction and abuse – one that should serve as a blueprint for the nation. One important measure included in this ground-breaking legislation deserves special attention for its effectiveness at preventing fraud, abuse, and addiction: electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS).

House bill 4742, "An Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment for Addiction," includes a mandate requiring that all healthcare providers and pharmacies switch to EPCS starting in 2020.

Electronic prescribing is an effective and immediate solution that can help to combat the opioid crisis by decreasing the risk of fraud, drug diversion, forgery and DEA number theft associated with paper prescriptions. The technology provides an online system that enforces transparency, accountability and security to protect against fraud and abuse. This helps to break the cycle of addiction. Additionally, while EPCS can dramatically reduce “pill mills” and others intentionally (and unintentionally) contributing to the epidemic, it actually makes it easier for providers to safely prescribe (and patients to get) the medicines they legitimately need to treat their pain and other conditions.

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