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Guidance on PDMP Best Practices: Options for Unsolicited Reporting

NCJ Number
247135
Date Published
January 2014
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report offers guidance and basic procedures for implementation of unsolicited reporting by PDMPs (prescription drug monitoring programs).
Abstract
Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are used by State and local authorities to fight the problem of prescription drug abuse and diversion. With unsolicited reporting, information on "high risk" patients and prescribers - those who are prescribed high doses of opioids or who meet criteria for questionable activity such as doctor shopping or reckless prescribing - is disseminated to the appropriate end users in order to promote safe prescribing and limit diversion of controlled substances. This report provides information on the benefits of using unsolicited reporting and describes basic procedures for implementing it. Brief discussions on the options for unsolicited reporting include procedures for unsolicited reporting to prescribers and dispensers, unsolicited reporting to medical providers, and unsolicited reporting to law enforcement and licensing boards. The report highlights promising practices and innovations that have been implemented in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, and Arizona. The report also discusses barriers to implementation of unsolicited reporting including legislative restrictions, resource limitations, and concerns about unintended consequences.