Prescription monitoring
programs (PMPs), state-level databases that collect patient-specific
prescription information at the time medications are dispensed, have been
suggested as tools to address the overdose epidemic. We reviewed all laws in
the United States (n = 25) that articulated the purposes PMPs are intended to
serve. Attributes related to reducing abuse, misuse, and diversion of
prescription medications appeared most commonly. Only 5 purpose statements
mentioned the promotion of public health as goals of the PMP, and only 3 listed
improving health care. None listed overdose prevention as a goal of the PMP...
As of June 30, 2014, a total of 49 states had passed
legislation establishing PMPs. The legislation in 25 of these states contained
an explicit statement of the purpose or purposes for which the statute was
enacted.
Attributes related to reducing abuse, misuse, and diversion
of prescription medications appeared most commonly (Table 1). In 15 of these 25
states, the law named reducing inappropriate use or misuse of prescription
medications as a goal of the PMP, whereas purpose statements in 12 states
declared that the PMP was intended to address diversion of prescription
medications. Ten laws explicitly noted that the PMP was intended to assist in
the investigation or prevention of criminal activity, and 5 listed an intention
to assist law enforcement actors.
Attributes related to benefiting health care professionals
appeared in approximately one third of state laws. Laws in 7 states declared
the PMP’s purpose as assisting “practitioners,” with a smaller number
mentioning pharmacists or prescribers specifically. Direct statements
emphasizing patient health and well-being were least prevalent. The laws of
only 5 of the 25 states mentioned the promotion of public health or the safety
of the public as goals of the program, and only 3 listed the creation or use of
data to assist research or identify trends. Four state laws included
identifying patients needing treatment or counseling as goals of the PMP, with
the same number listing patient safety. Only 3 laws listed improving health or
health care generally.
Notably, none of the laws declared reducing overdose as a
goal of the PMP or discussed PMPs as being part of a comprehensive effort to
reduce drug overdose. In fact, the word “overdose” does not appear in any of
the purpose sections...
TABLE 1—
Characteristics of Prescription Monitoring Program Purpose Statements in US State Laws as of June 30, 2014
| Attribute | States (n = 25), No. (%) |
| Reduce misuse or inappropriate use of prescription medications | 15 (60) |
| Do not interfere with appropriate prescription or use of medications | 15 (60) |
| Reduce diversion of prescription medications | 12 (48) |
| Reduce abuse of prescription medications | 11 (44) |
| Investigate or prevent illegal activity | 10 (40) |
| Benefit “practitioners” | 7 (28) |
| Benefit pharmacists or dispensers | 5 (20) |
| Operate cost-effectively or efficiently or minimize inconvenience | 5 (20) |
| Assist law enforcement | 5 (20) |
| Promote or safeguard public health | 5 (20) |
| Assist regulators | 4 (16) |
| Identify patients in need of treatment or counseling | 4 (16) |
| Benefit patients or patient safety | 4 (16) |
| Benefit prescribers | 3 (12) |
| Create data for research or surveillance | 3 (12) |
| Improve health care | 3 (12) |
| Reduce or prevent overdose | 0 (0) |
Full article
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By:
Corresponding
author.
Correspondence should be sent to Corey S. Davis, JD, MSPH,
Deputy Director, Network for Public Health Law—Southeastern Region, 101 E
Weaver St G-7, Carrboro, NC 27510 (e-mail: gro.lhprofkrowten@sivadc).
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
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