NCJ Number
251156
Date Published
December 2016
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Using data from four assessments by the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) at Brandeis University, this guide describes the changes in and evolution of PDMPs between 2010 and 2016 regarding 11 best practices.
Abstract
The best practices examined were identified in a September 2012 white paper entitled "Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: An Assessment of the Evidence for Best Practices." That paper drew on published research, consensus statements of expert opinion, and accumulated experience of States with PDMPs. Each practice is briefly explained, followed by an assessment of the change in the practice that occurred between 2010 and 2016. The 11 best practices examined are 1) Adopt uniform and latest ASAP reporting standards; 2) Collect positive identification for the person picking up prescriptions; 3) Collect data on method of payment, including cash transactions; 4) Reduce data collection interval and move toward real-time data collection; 5) Integrate PDMP reports with health information exchanges, electronic health records, and pharmacy dispensing systems; 6) Send unsolicited reports and alerts to appropriate users; 7) Mandate enrollment; 8) Mandate utilization; 9) Delegate access; 10) Enact and implement interstate data-sharing among PDMPs; and 11) Secure funding independent of economic downturns, conflict of interest, public policy changes, and changes in PDMP policies. Based on this analysis, the report concludes that PDMPs are continually evolving and becoming more homogeneous, resulting in programs that are more efficient and effective. Also, there is evidence that improvements in one PDMP that show positive results often lead to similar improvements in other PDMPs. Appended list of questions from State assessments and a listing of operational PDMPs using selected best practices