HLS 14RS-2395 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 99
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
PUBLIC HEALTH: Requests a study and recommendations by the Louisiana State Board
of Medical Examiners concerning over-prescribing of pain medication
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to study the problem2
of over-prescribing of pain medication by physicians and to report findings and3
recommendations to the legislative committees on health and welfare.4
WHEREAS, over-prescribing of pain medication has emerged as a major public5
health concern in this state and nationally; and6
WHEREAS, a dramatic increase in prescriptions for opioid pain medications has7
occurred over the past decade as physicians generally have become less restrained in8
prescribing these drugs; and9
WHEREAS, while the majority of patients to whom pain medications are prescribed10
use these drugs safely and with no intention of abusing the drugs, an ever-growing number11
of patients are becoming addicted to these medications; and12
WHEREAS, the consequences of addiction are terrible and often tragic for13
individuals and families; and14
WHEREAS, similarly, in terms of population health and costs to the public, the15
prevalence of prescription drug abuse presents real burdens and avoidable costs in areas such16
as law enforcement, criminal justice, and health care; and17
WHEREAS, because of its unique qualifications as the regulatory body for the18
practice of medicine in this state, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners is the19
proper authority to which the legislature should turn for guidance concerning over-20
prescribing of pain medication by physicians.21 HLS 14RS-2395 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 99
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby1
urge and request the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to study the problem of2
over-prescribing of pain medication by physicians.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the Louisiana State4
Board of Medical Examiners shall engage and solicit input from the Louisiana Board of5
Pharmacy on matters related to monitoring of controlled substances and drugs of concern6
prescribed and dispensed in this state.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners8
shall provide findings of the study in the form of a written report to the House Committee9
on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare no later than sixty10
days prior to the convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the12
executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.13
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Harrison HCR No. 99
Requests the La. State Board of Medical Examiners to study the problem of over-prescribing
of pain medication by physicians and to report findings and recommendations to the
legislative committees on health and welfare.