LOGAN — On Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) collaborated with U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to introduce the Stopping Medication Abuse and Protection Seniors Act, a bipartisan bill that is designed to prevent inappropriate access to opioids and improve patient care for at-risk beneficiaries.
According to information released from Brown’s office, the bill would help cut down on drug abuse and help eliminate the practice of doctor shopping, where patients visit several doctors to obtain prescriptions for medication without the doctors knowing about the other visits.
In Ohio, the penalties for doctor shopping vary depending on the substance that is obtained. If citizens use deceit to obtain a Schedule III, IV, or V substance they face penalties that range from fifth-degree felony charges to second-degree felony charges. If citizens obtain a Schedule I or II substance, they may face anything from a fourth-degree felony to a first-degree felony, which is punishable by 11 years in prison.
“American’s all across the country have been affected by the growing public health crisis caused by addiction to opioids and other prescription drugs,” said Brown.
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