On Monday, October 27, 2014, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett held a bill signing for SB 1180, the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Act. SB 1180, sponsored by Senator Pat Vance (R-31), provides for prescription drug monitoring; establishes the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program; and outlines requirements for dispensers and pharmacists. This bill was passed overwhelming by the General Assembly.

This act will increase the quality of patient care by giving prescribers and dispensers access to a patient’s prescription medication history through an electronic system. Patients will be able to easily obtain their prescription records for purposes of making educated and thoughtful health care decisions. In addition, the prescription drug monitoring system could prevent people from doctor shopping to obtain prescription drugs from several physicians at a time.

“PSNA thanks Governor Corbett and the General Assembly for working to improve patient safety for Pennsylvanians,” stated PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “We are proud to stand alongside the Governor as Pennsylvania continues to advance and support the nursing profession.”