State still working on prescription monitoring drug program

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states that hasn’t implemented an active prescription drug monitoring program.

Under a law passed in 2009, the state’s 1,200 pharmacies and other dispensers of frequently abused prescription drugs had to start gathering data on each order filled starting Jan. 1.

However, the Wisconsin State Journal reported a database to collect the information isn’t ready.

Greg Gasper, executive assistant with the Department of Safety and Professional Services, said the state is negotiating with the vendor and it’s not clear when the database might be available.

According to the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws, at least 44 states have active prescription drug monitoring programs.

The programs collect and store drug information so pharmacists, health care providers and others can better track abusers.