Opinion: Prescription tracking due in wake of abuse

Physicians and pharmacists will be required to participate in a new prescription drug-tracking program under legislation coming together at the State Capitol. State officials hope to announce legislative agreement on the program next week in conjunction with the first anniversary of a suicide by a prescription drug-addicted man from Buffalo. Tentative deals have been reached on key elements of a new system aimed at reducing the growing problem of doctor-shopping by people addicted to prescription drug opiates. New York officials believe that the Internet-based program will permit doctors and pharmacists to track prescriptions logged just 30 minutes behind real time.