Few use MI’s Internet doctor-shopping check-up

Mississippi has an Internet-based prescription drug monitoring program that officials say could halt most "doctor shopping" for narcotics, but more than two-thirds of physicians don't use it. Pharmacists also can access this same information, but in some chain pharmacies, employees can't even access the Internet. Because the system is voluntary, there are no penalties for failing to comply. It's a perfect storm killing many Mississippians, said Dr. Scott Hambleton, medical director of the Mississippi Professionals Health Program, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Mississippi State Medical Association.