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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York doctors' group is urging that Veterans Administration hospitals and medical facilities join the new statewide database intended to prevent patients from getting excess painkiller prescriptions by shopping among multiple physicians.
The New York State Academy of Family Physicians in a letter has asked Secretary Robert McDonald to require VA facilities in the state to participate.
The group, which says it represents more than 6,000 physicians, residents and students in family medicine, says New York like other states is in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic. That's related in part to increased prescriptions for opiods.
New York's system requires other doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners to check patient records in the statewide database before prescribing painkillers, with pharmacists responsible for recording related prescriptions they fill.
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