Developing and Enhancing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will utilize the FY 2008 Prescription Drug Monitoring Program grant to plan for the implementation of a statewide program. The planning project will educate stakeholders on the benefits of a Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and resolve outstanding objections and concerns regarding the implementation. The program's goals are to: 1) identify ongoing issues of concern for stakeholders and identify potential solutions to address these concerns; 2) identify appropriate venue(s) for receiving and warehousing program data, establishing a program database, and establishing a web-based reporting system; 3) build a database of prescription monitoring program data and establish reporting capabilities; 4) ensure that every prescriber, dispenser, and all appropriate staff are provided access to either formal or informal training regarding the benefits of the program. Thsi includes how to request profile information and the restrictions on use and sharing of the data; and, 5) establish program effectiveness reporting and tracking mechanisms.

Grant funds will be used for: travel expenses for observation of a model PMP program; attendance at conferences and other meetings; equipment; supplies; and other costs necessary for the completion of the project.

CA/NCF