Christie Signs Bill Expanding Drug Monitoring Program
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a bill that requires drug prescribers and pharmacists in New Jersey to register for access to the state's Prescription Monitoring Program.
Christie signed the legislation on Monday and said it will help prevent so-called doctor shopping whereby some people seek multiple medical opinions with the aim of obtaining prescription drugs.
Legislators say 85 percent of New Jersey's doctors are currently registered to access the program's database but that the registration doesn't mean practitioners regularly reference the data.
Under the new law the Division of Consumer Affairs would require health care officials who prescribe controlled drugs to participate in the program as part of their registration.
The legislation is the latest in Christie's effort against drug abuse including expansion of the state's Drug Court.
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