Lake County Gazette

State Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) took to social media to advocate for a measure that will grant every medication prescriber, including e-prescribers, access to the same database to reduce opioid abuse.

Bush, who is one of Illinois's most visible figures in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, tweeted that such a form of transparency will decrease overprescribing.

"Every prescriber will now have access to the prescription database, so they can see which patients receive medications and when they received them," she tweeted April 7. "Knowing when a patient last received a medication will minimize overprescribing."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law April 5.

A release issued by Bush's office said the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program collects information on controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in Illinois. The program's Web site allows prescribers and dispensers to view a current or prospective patient's prescription history.

The PMP's ultimate goal is to assist prescribers and dispensers in the effective treatment of patients seeking medical care, Bush's office said.

The release adds that House Bill 2488 of the 101st General Assembly ensures that every person who has prescribing authority has access to the PMP. Aside from Bush, four other Democratic lawmakers sponsor the bill.

Bush wrote on her website that the number of opioid-related deaths has more than tripled in the US in the past decade.

"We should do everything in our power to reduce opioid addiction and overdose," she said.