The Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post both have articles today on rising prescription drug abuse among Coloradans. But the News contains an important fact that the Post (available only in paper edition as of now) overlooked: In response to an increase in prescription drug usage, Colorado passed a law last year that requires electronic tracking of prescriptions. The purpose of the law is to ferret out those obtaining multiple refills from doctors or pharmacies. The practice is called “doctor shopping,” made famous by Rush Limbaugh who remains under investigation for it.

Doctor shopping refers to looking for a doctor willing to prescribe drugs illegally, or getting prescriptions for a single drug from more than one doctor at the same time.

So, if you thought your use of prescription drugs was a private matter between you and your doctor, think again.