Connecticut House Bill HB05138

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/19
• Refer: 1/10/19

Caption

An Act Concerning The Prescribing Of Psychiatric Drugs.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05138 would significantly impact state laws concerning the prescription of psychiatric drugs by necessitating the implementation of a centralized monitoring system. This would allow healthcare professionals to access important information regarding prescriptions in real-time, thus enhancing their decision-making capabilities. The bill aligns with broader efforts to improve mental health care by ensuring that patients receive medications that are safe to use in conjunction with their existing treatments.

Summary

House Bill 05138 aims to enhance patient safety by establishing a centralized database for the monitoring of psychiatric drug prescriptions. This bill is designed to assist prescribing practitioners in determining whether patients are taking multiple psychiatric medications that may have adverse interactions. The initiative is rooted in the need to minimize the risks associated with the concurrent use of psychiatric drugs, which could potentially lead to serious health complications for patients if not properly managed.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, there may be points of contention surrounding the bill's practical implementation and the privacy concerns related to patient data management. Critics may express concerns about the safeguarding of sensitive medical information in the centralized database, fearing breaches of confidentiality. Furthermore, the administrative burden placed on healthcare providers to access and utilize this database may also be debated, particularly regarding the technology and training required for effective implementation.