Inslee signs bill increasing access to narcotic-prescription data for medical providers

[Aristus]

1. I hope this makes it easier for providers to register with the Prescription Monitoring Program.

I registered with the program a couple of years ago, and it is insanely complicated to get up and running with a user ID and everything.

The reason, obviously, is information security. But still, it took much longer than it should have.

I don't need to use it that often, because my patients know better than to ask for Percocet or something for chronic back pain. I prescribe the usual non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers as appropriate, combined with physical therapy, therapeutic massage, orthopedic consult, etc. If they stomp out of the exam room with: "Fine! I just won't take anything at all!", I know they're trying to shake me down.