Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
Source: Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Copyright: 2005 Gazette Communications
Contact:  http://www.gazetteonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/887
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG-TRACKING PROPOSAL RAISES PRIVACY CONCERNS

DES MOINES, IA - A plan by state pharmacy regulators to set up a 
computerized system to track prescriptions for certain drugs is under fire 
by some Iowa lawmakers who say it would be an invasion of privacy.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners wants to track controlled substances 
in an effort to crack down on drug abuse and "doctor shopping." But 
lawmakers compare the system to "big brother," that could put patients' 
medical information in the wrong hands.

"Many citizens and legislators are rightfully concerned about protecting 
the confidentiality of their medical information and about the security of 
the proposed database itself," Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, said Tuesday.

In addition to prescription drugs, such as painkillers, the board would 
also track pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine. The state 
is now classifying pseudoephedrine, which is found in many cold and allergy 
medicines, as a controlled substance.

Lloyd Jessen, the board's executive director, said they hope to have the 
database running by March 2007.

He said the system would keep prescription drug addicts from "doctor 
shopping" or "pharmacy shopping," by giving doctors and pharmacists access 
to the data when they are serving a patient.

The federal government has already awarded the pharmacy board a $642,000 
grant to establish the database. But it was never approved by the Iowa 
Legislature, and the board's decision to move ahead anyway irked some 
lawmakers.

A measure to establish the database passed the House earlier this year, but 
it was never considered by the Senate.

Rep. George Eichhorn, R-Stratford, voted for the measure to take action in 
the fight against meth. On Tuesday, he complained the database would 
collect information on law-abiding Iowans to catch a few.

"There's definitely some downsides, especially if you don't have the 
protections in there for confidentiality," Eichhorn said.

Eichhorn said a legislative committee will have the chance to put the 
database on hold until the full Iowa Legislature convenes in January. The 
full Legislature could chose to nullify the board's action.

Groups representing Iowa doctors came forward Tuesday to register their 
opposition to the plan for a database.

Frank Severino, a lobbyist for the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association and 
the Polk County Medical Society, said both groups are "extremely opposed" 
to the plan.

Marty Ryan of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union raised concerns that law 
enforcement officials would have access to the data even if they hadn't 
obtained a search warrant or subpoena from a judge.
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MAP posted-by: Beth