Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program

Since the beginning of FY 2002, Congress has appropriated funding to the U.S. Department of Justice to support the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Prescription drug monitoring programs enhance the capacity of regulatory and law enforcement agencies to collect and analyze controlled substance prescription data through a centralized database administered by an authorized state agency. These programs are designed to help prevent and detect the diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical controlled substances, particularly at the retail level where no other automated information collection system exists.

States that have implemented prescription drug monitoring programs have the capability of collecting and analyzing prescription data much more efficiently than states without such programs, where the collection of prescription information requires the manual review of pharmacy files which is a very time consuming and invasive process. The increased efficiency of prescription drug monitoring programs allows for the early detection of abuse trends and possible sources of diversion.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will execute the following things with their 2008 Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Enhancement funds:

'Employ various methods and venues to inform the doctors and pharmacies of the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) enhancements. Local, state and federal law enforcement, regulatory agencies, medical providers and pharmaceutical dispensers will be contacted by mail, news release and regional meetings to inform them of the new data available to assist in an investigation or a medical evaluation.

'Complete the technical procedure for collecting Schedule III through V prescriptions from all dispensers and the process of uploading the information into the PMP and Prescription Information Library (PIL) databases. The notification and information sessions for the dispensers will continue for the full grant period.

'Continue to physically expand PMP program capacity to collect Schedule III through V prescription data from dispensers doing business in Illinois, and seek to expand the monitoring with its bordering states. Initiate negotiations for 'Memorandum of Understandings'(MOUs) with states surrounding Illinois to allow data exchanges or access.

'Expand and develop the PIL which is the online access system for prescribers and dispensers

'Develop a protocol for electronic prescribing. In collaboration with other state agencies, such as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Illinois Department of Public Aid) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), IDHS will develop requirements for the electronic prescribing system which will be utilized by doctors and pharmacists only for their established patients.

'Initiate discussions and negotiations with the prescription monitoring investigation coordination 'Hub' being constructed in Ohio. The 'Hub' will allow for pre-authorization of law enforcement in order to facilitate investigations which involve prescription medications.

CA/NCF