Connecticut just passed Public Act No. 17-131¹ which mandates that prescribers must electronically prescribe controlled substances by January 1, 2018. The legislation was unanimously passed.

The law was originally proposed by Governor Dannel Malloy in an effort to combat opioid abuse and addiction. By requiring controlled substances prescriptions to be sent electronically, it allows the prescriptions to be tracked and prevents fraud from forged or stolen paper prescriptions.

The law also increases the ability of state agencies to share data on opioid abuse, as well as allows patients to insert a form in their medical records refusing to be prescribed opioids.

Most pharmacies appear ready, but it’s going to be a change for the majority of prescribers in the state. According to Surescripts’ EPCS State Readiness page², 96.7% of pharmacies are enabled for e-Prescribing of controlled substances in Connecticut, but only 5% of prescribers are currently enabled. Surescripts National Progress Report also showed that in 2016 only 6% of controlled substances were prescribed electronically in Connecticut.

Connecticut is the fourth state to enact a mandate requiring electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS). Minnesota, New York, and Maine were the first three states to pass similar laws. Several other states are considering similar legislation as well.

We are pleased that many states have seen the benefits of EPCS and are taking action to combat the ever growing opioid crisis in our nation with this important tool. Find out more about EPCS and start e-Prescribing controlled substances today.

   1.  Public Act No. 17-131: An Act Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/ACT/pa/2017PA-00131-R00HB-07052-PA.htm

   2.  Surescripts State Readiness and Local Search Tool http://surescripts.com/products-and-services/e-prescribing-of-controlled-substances

   3. Surescripts National Progress Report 2016 http://surescripts.com/news-center/national-progress-report-2016/#/EPCS-readiness-by-state