ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York officials say they've reached a deal on legislation to establish tighter online oversight of prescription drugs to help curb the black market fueled by painkiller addictions and doctor shopping.
The measure taking effect sometime next year would make New York the first state to establish mandatory online reporting of prescriptions in real time when they're written by doctors and filled by pharmacists.
Officials say while most states require weekly reporting, Oklahoma has real-time reporting by pharmacists. New York's current system calls for 45-day reporting.
The program, pushed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman since last year, and other measures intended to curb abuse of hydrocodone and other prescription drugs have been under negotiation between the Cuomo administration, Schneiderman's office and legislative leaders.
