LANSING (WKZO-AM) — State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton says progress is being made on a bill she introduced to curb the over-prescription of opioids to reduce Michigan’s growing heroin problem.

The Republican says doctors could spend up to 15 years in prison for violations under the legislation. The current penalty is just two years.

“We’ve been having work groups on it to make sure that everybody is on the same page,” Schuitmaker said. “I hope to have a hearing on it very shortly.”

It would require physicians to search the Michigan Automated Prescription System before writing any opioid script.

“They can tell whether they’ve gotten any opioid prescriptions recently and either not prescribe or say that you need help,” Schuitmaker said.

Supporters hope the bill reduces “doctor shopping,” and discourages doctors from conspiring with pharmacies to set up drug-for-cash “pill mills.”

– Anthony Pollreisz