Only 53 percent of primary care physicians use their state prescription drug monitoring program, according to a new survey. The national survey found 72 percent of doctors were aware of their state’s program.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health surveyed 420 primary care physicians about their knowledge of prescription drug monitoring databases, which are designed to reduce prescription drug abuse. The databases can help physicians spot patients who are “doctor shopping,” or obtaining prescriptions from multiple physicians. Every state except Missouri has such a program in place, MedicalXpress reports.

[su_button url=”http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/53-percent-doctors-use-state-prescription-drug-monitoring-program-study/?utm_source=Stay+Informed+-+latest+tips%2C+resources+and+news&utm_campaign=5dbfdcc275-JT_Daily_News_Two_Legislators_Call_on_Company_&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_34168a2307-5dbfdcc275-223331765″ target=”blank” style=”flat” desc=”Click here to read the full story.”]Only 53 Percent of Doctors Use Their State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: Study[/su_button]