Contact: Sen. Patrick Testin
(608) 266-3123
MADISON, Wis. – Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) is honored the Wisconsin Senate has passed his bill continuing an effective program that has been instrumental in helping combat the ongoing prescription drug abuse epidemic in the state.
Senate Bill 68 extends the sunsets for the Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP) by five years to 2030. As it currently stands, one provision will expire on April 1, 2025, and another will end on Oct. 30, 2025.
The ePDMP, which became operational in 2013, aids healthcare professionals in their prescribing and dispensing decisions by providing valuable information on the controlled substance prescriptions already being distributed throughout the state. Wisconsin-licensed physicians and other prescribers must review a patient’s records in the ePDMP database before issuing them an order for a monitored prescription drug.
The program also supports the ability of pharmacies, healthcare officials, law enforcement agencies and public health representatives to work together to reduce the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescribed controlled substances.
“It is vital that we prolong the ePDMP because it is one of the most crucial prevention tools we have in our fight against the opioid epidemic,” Sen. Testin said. “Because registrations have increased ten-fold between 2019 and 2024, there is obviously a tremendous benefit to continuing the ePDMP. Statistics also show that opioid dispensions dropped by 9.2 percent from the last quarter of 2023 to the same time frame in 2024. The ePDMP is working as intended and we must ensure that healthcare providers and law enforcement can keep using this important tool.”
The state Assembly is scheduled to consider the legislation during its floor session on Thursday. If passed by that house, the bill will be sent to the governor, who is expected to sign it into law.
