The Medical Board of California announced it will soon begin collecting an additional $6 per year on physician license applications and renewals to fund the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). The fees, authorized by SB 809, provide funding for ongoing maintenance and staffing of CURES. Physicians can expect to see an additional $12 ($6 per year) added to their licensing fees beginning April 1, 2014.

CURES is an online database that allows authorized users, including physicians, pharmacists, law enforcement and regulatory boards, to access information about a patient’s controlled substance prescription history. The new law will provide roughly $1.5 million annually to maintain the database. The bill builds on funding provided through the 2013 budget to upgrade the system. With proper funding, maintenance and privacy safeguards, CURES has potential to benefit the public and physicians, assisting physicians in making informed prescribing decisions and helping to control drug diversion in the state.

The new fees will be assessed on physicians and other licensees authorized to prescribe, order, administer, furnish or dispense controlled substances, including dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, nurses, physician assistants and veterinarians.

Click here for more information on SB 809.

Contact: Alecia Sanchez, (916) 551-2878 or asanchez@cmadocs.org.