Prescription Drug

Monitoring Program
(PDMP)

Terry D. Vincent

HCIN-543: Database Design & Knowledge

Management
What is a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
(PDMPs)?
 It is an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions in a
state. (California = Cures)
- 1st PDMP was established by New York City in 1918 – monitor prescription
cocaine, codeine, heroin, morphine, and opium; pharmacist were required to report
copies of prescriptions to the Health Department within 24 hours.
- 2nd was California in 1939 – began the paper era of PDMPs and ended in 1989
- In 1989; Oklahoma was the first requiring data to be in the electronic form
- Thru the 1990s to early 2000s PDMPs continue to grow
 The Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Grant (2003) – provided federal
funding to states that implemented the growth and enhancement of PDMPs.
 Although they seem the same, they are governed differently, and they collect data
on different opioids; from schedule II-V.
 Only 46 states participate in the sharing of data across state lines
 Who are the users of this Database?

 All 50 States + 1 U.S. Territory (Guam) have functioning PDMPs

*www.pdmpassist.org/state
 Who has access to the PDMP: (varies from state to state)
- Pharmacist and Healthcare providers, Medicaid programs, state medical examiners, law enforcement,
regulatory boards for investigational purposes, research organizations

Mandated Enrollment and Usage:

- Pharmacists enrollment in the program is mandatory in 28 states & 25 states require enrollment of
pharmacist and prescribers. Indiana, N. Carolina, Oregon, and Guam require enrollment by Pharmacist only.
14 States lack mandatory enrollment from either.
 What information is available on the PDMPs?
- Prescription history: Drug Name, Quantity, Prescriber’s Names, Pharmacy used to fill the
medication, Pharmacist’s Name, plus information from other states.
 What are the advantages & limitations of PDMPs?
Advantages
 Helps to identify patients who
may be misusing prescription
opioids or other prescription
drugs and who are at risk for
overdose.
 Viable resource for combating
prescription drug diversion
 Responsible prescribing
 Real-time reporting
Limitations
 State is not connected to the
interstate system; or system
down
 Recent or same day
disbursement of opioids
 Prescriber doesn’t have
access
 Prescriber doesn’t use the
system
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMPs)

Any Questions?

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

 References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, July 12). What Healthcare
Providers Need to Know About PDMPs.
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdmp/providers.html

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center.

(2020). State PDMP Profiles And Contacts. https://pdmpassist.org/State

U.S. Department of Justice. (2016, June). Questions and answers on State Prescription
Drug Monitoring Programs. https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/rx_
monitor.htm#7