Alaska Scheduled Prescription Electronic Collection and Tracking (ASPECT)

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 (PDMP). Prescription drug monitoring programs enhance the capacity of regulatory and law enforcement agencies and public health officials 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.

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program assists states as they plan, implement, or enhance a PDMP. PDMPs: build a state-level data collection and analysis system to enhance the capacity of regulatory and law enforcement agencies and public health officials for future prevention efforts; enhance existing programs' abilities to analyze and use collected data to identify drug abuse trends and increase the number of users of the PDMP; facilitate national evaluation efforts to ensure continued support; encourage the exchange of information among states to prevent cross-border diversion; assess the efficiency and effectiveness of programs to ensure continued state-level support; and, enhance collaborations with law enforcement, prosecutors, treatment professionals, the medical community, and pharmacies to establish a comprehensive PDMP strategy.

Alaska Department of Commerce will use awarded grant funds to implement the Alaska Scheduled Prescription Electronic Collection and Tracking program (ASPECT). The program will utilize an electronic monitoring system to facilitate the transmission and collection of data regarding all controlled substances dispensed to patients in Alaska and to analyze data and report on the prescribing, dispensing, and use of controlled substances. This program will allow faster identification of individuals involved in diversion. With ASPECT, offenders will be identified much sooner than is currently possible. In addition to law enforcement and investigative activities aimed at preventing illegal diversion, a second major issue will be addressed through implementation of ASPECT. The implementation process, along with the development of administrative rules, will require the flexibility to address issues of vital importance to the healthcare community, such as confidentiality of professional-patient relationships, and the limitation of liability for the disclosure of information. The program will provide for training and troubleshooting programs to ensure that all pharmacists who will be required to submit prescription information to ASPECT are prepared for that transmission. In addition, written training materials will be prepared and delivered to each currently licensed nonresident pharmacy subject to program requirements. Nonresident pharmacies will be encouraged to initiate contact with program personnel to resolve any questions or issues relating to the timely submission of controlled substances dispensing information. ASPECT will collect controlled substance dispensing information from all outpatient pharmacies providing these prescription medications to patients in Alaska, and to Alaska residents, including pharmacies located in state and outside Alaska. The primary goal of ASPECT is to deter the diversion of controlled substances in Alaska while ensuring the citizens of Alaska maintain access to appropriate pharmaceutical care in compliance with Alaska law.

CA/NCF