The Opioid Prescription Verification Act of 2021, a federal bill crafted by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville has passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 410-15. The bill is intended to reduce prescription shopping and curb sales of illegally obtained opioids.

As amended, Davis says it will encourage the expanded use of electronic prescribing which is an effective tool to combat illicit sales of opioids, and curb prescription shopping.

The bill was inspired by a meeting Davis had with the Normal Police Department after a case they worked where prescription shoppers illegally obtained over 300 opioid pills that would be sold on the black market, contributing to the opioid crisis.