Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has signed emergency regulations that require doctors to meet tougher prescription standards in an effort to stop drug abuse. The rules, which were given to given to state boards that oversee the medical industry on Friday, were presented to lawmakers this week and will remain in effect until permanent regulations are adopted.
The Courier-Journal reports that under the order, pain clinics will be more regulated and doctors are required to use the state's prescription drug tracking system.
Some physicians have raised concerns that the order exceeds the original goal of a bill passed by lawmakers, but Beshear said in a statement that his office worked diligently to make sure the emergency regulations match the intent of the bill.