Politics & Government

Montesano, Marcellino Work to Outlaw 'Doctor Shopping'

Senator joins Assemblyman in adding companion bill to I-STOP legislation that tracks prescription drugs to monitor abuse.

"Doctor shopping" in order to fraudulently obtain prescription medications would be a crime under a new bill being proposed by Sen. Carl Marcellino Assemblyman Michael Montesano, his office reported.

Marcellino, R-Syosset, Montesano, R,I,C-Glen Head, is sponsoring the companion bill to last year's I-STOP legislation, which created a "real-time database to monitor prescription drugs to prevent their abuse," according to a statement.

"Doctor shopping" refers to visiting multiple doctors to obtain a prescription.

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“During my time in the Assembly, I have heard from countless residents on the need to curb prescription drug abuse and have worked regularly to address this issue,” Montesano said in a statement. “Through the legislation I am sponsoring this year to end doctor shopping, we can make greater strides toward halting the abuse of prescription drugs, strengthening our health care system and make our communities safer for our families."

Montesano is sponsoring Assembly bill 1863 in conjunction with Marcellino, who urged his fellow legislators to "take action and pass the bill."

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