<p>Prescription painkillers kill more people in US than heroin and cocaine combined, thanks to fatal overdosing, says a new analytical report.<br /><br />Experts from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programme (PDMP) Centre of Excellence at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management systematically assessed prescription drug monitoring programmes and found a patchwork of strategies and standards.<br /><br />"An epidemic of prescription drug abuse is devastating American families and draining state and federal time, money and manpower," said Hal Rogers, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. <br /><br />"Law enforcement and health officials are doing heroic work and, thankfully, this report provides a road map to help them further."<br /><br />"Being proactive is the key to success in the fight against prescription painkiller abuse," said John L. Eadie, Director, PDMP Centre Brandeis University. <br /><br />"While doctors may routinely collect and report data to a state programme that signals where and when prescription painkillers are likely being misused, the programme might not share that information with others who can best use it."</p>.<p>By the end of 2001, the report found that 16 states had authorized the creation of prescription drug monitoring programmes; within 11 years that number had grown to 49. Today, 41 states have programmes in operation, according to a Brandeis statement.<br /></p>
<p>Prescription painkillers kill more people in US than heroin and cocaine combined, thanks to fatal overdosing, says a new analytical report.<br /><br />Experts from the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programme (PDMP) Centre of Excellence at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management systematically assessed prescription drug monitoring programmes and found a patchwork of strategies and standards.<br /><br />"An epidemic of prescription drug abuse is devastating American families and draining state and federal time, money and manpower," said Hal Rogers, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. <br /><br />"Law enforcement and health officials are doing heroic work and, thankfully, this report provides a road map to help them further."<br /><br />"Being proactive is the key to success in the fight against prescription painkiller abuse," said John L. Eadie, Director, PDMP Centre Brandeis University. <br /><br />"While doctors may routinely collect and report data to a state programme that signals where and when prescription painkillers are likely being misused, the programme might not share that information with others who can best use it."</p>.<p>By the end of 2001, the report found that 16 states had authorized the creation of prescription drug monitoring programmes; within 11 years that number had grown to 49. Today, 41 states have programmes in operation, according to a Brandeis statement.<br /></p>