In 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the I-STOP or "Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing" act into law and it is now mandatory for 2013. The law requires all prescribers to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) prior to prescribing and Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances. Each prescriber must have an individual
Health Commerce System Account (HCS) to gain access to the PMP registry. This may lead to more
electronic prescribing for controlled substances down the road.
In the New York State Office of the Attorney General's proposal, they cite:
"Prescription drug diversion involves channeling legitimately produced controlled substances from their lawful purpose into illicit drug traffic. Abuse of diverted drugs comprises the nation’s fastest growing drug problem, and in recent years has reached epidemic proportions. It affects every sector of society, straining our healthcare and criminal justice systems, and endangering the future of our younger generations.