State Proposal Cracks Down On Opioid Doctor Shoppers In California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A bill before the California Legislature would make it more difficult for addicts to obtain opioid prescriptions through so-called "doctor shopping."

SB482 would crack down on the practice by requiring providers to consult a database of patient prescription histories before recommending the use of addictive drugs.

Advocates say a mandatory check would identify at-risk patients and reduce opioids in the marketplace.

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Similar attempts have failed in the past, but proponents hope the national opioid epidemic and high-profile deaths such as that of musician Prince will prompt action this year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 165,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses from 1999 to 2014.

The California Medical Association is opposed. It argues that lawmakers should not control the practice of medicine.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.