Puerto Rico Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PR-PDMP-2024)

The PR PDMP, administered by the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (MHAASA) of Puerto Rico, seeks to enhance its capacity to prevent prescription drug misuse and opioid-related harm across the Island. Since its establishment in 2018, the PR PDMP has played a vital role in public health surveillance, clinical decision-making, and law enforcement. However, challenges remain in increasing active participation among healthcare providers and integrating the system with Electronic Health Records (EHR). As of July 2024, the PR PDMP reflected 7,824 registered users, including pharmacists, prescribers, law enforcement representatives, and other professionals. However, active user accounts are considerably lower, with only 4,552 active accounts, indicating the need for continued efforts to engage and educate potential users of the system. The proposed project aims to build on the PR PDMP’s foundation by enhancing key initiatives such as the Red Flags Project, which identifies and intervenes with individuals at risk of drug misuse. The project will achieve a 20% reduction in in the number of alerts among flagged adults over two years, educate 165 individuals identified as overusing prescribed medications, and instruct 1,000 licensed physicians on using the PR PDMP as a clinical decision-making tool. Additionally, the project will register 500 new physicians identified as over-prescribing controlled medications and conduct compliance audits at 130 pharmacies. A crucial component of the project is public education, particularly concerning the risks of prescription drug misuse and the benefits of EHR integration. The PR PDMP will continue collaborating with state and federal agencies, including the Puerto Rico Department of Health, DEA, FBI, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, to ensure effective data sharing and coordinated efforts. Despite financial constraints and the voluntary nature of system use, this continuation is essential to sustain the PR PDMP’s progress. The service area covers the entire Puerto Rico, benefiting healthcare providers, pharmacists, law enforcement, and patients, particularly those at risk of prescription drug misuse. Expected outcomes include reduced substances misuse and overdose rates, increased active participation in the PR PDMP, and improved data quality. Collaborative partners include the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association, Hospitals Association, and the College of Pharmacists of Puerto Rico, all of which have demonstrated commitment through continued collaboration. This project is critical to sustaining and expanding the impact of the PR PDMP, ensuring ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and prevent prescription drug misuse in Puerto Rico.