The House has approved a measure that would expand the state's voluntary program monitoring prescription painkillers.
Republican Sen. John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills is sponsoring a proposal backed by the governor's office that would require doctors to check the state's database before prescribing drugs that contain opioids or benzodiazepine in most circumstances.
Kavanagh says it's designed to stop drug abusers from gaming the system and would help reduce overdose deaths.
The latest version of the bill requires the statewide Health Information Exchange to incorporate the prescription monitoring database so that doctors can more easily access the information.
The House unanimously passed Senate Bill 1283 on Monday. It now moves to the governor's desk. The program would begin next October if the bill is signed.
