JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri may soon join the rest of the country in creating a prescription drug monitoring database that supporters say will curb substance abuse.

The Missouri Senate passed a measure 24-10 Thursday that would track prescription drugs. It’s been held up in previous years because of privacy concerns.

The measure would create a monitoring program to track when prescriptions for controlled drugs are written and filled, with a goal of preventing abuse of addictive pills such as painkillers.

The bill includes protections for the data and limits on accessing it, as well as penalties for improper use or sharing of the information.

Some Republican lawmakers say they still are concerned about the risks to such sensitive personal information.

The Senate version now goes to the House, which approved a similar program.

The 24-10 roll call vote Thursday by which the Missouri Senate passed legislation authorizing the creation of a state database to track prescription drug purchases.

Voting “yes” were 15 Republicans and nine Democrats.

Voting “no” were 10 Republicans including Sen. Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph.