Prescription Monitoring Programs: A Resource to Address the Prescription Drug Epidemic

Submitted by Meelee Kim

Addiction, overdoses and deaths involving non-medical prescription drug use, especially narcotic pain relievers, have risen dramatically over the last decade.  Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMP) are resources to respond to the prescription drug epidemic.

PMPs are statewide electronic databases which collect data from pharmacies on controlled substances prescriptions (e.g., pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives). PMPs provide data to help doctors and pharmacies treat patients, to assist prescription drug abuse prevention and treatment programs, and for education, research, and law enforcement. Currently, 44 states have passed legislation to implement them. Many PMPs receive support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Harold Rogers Grant Program and the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting program.

Funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, the PMP Center of Excellence was founded in 2010 at the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Brandeis University.  The Center partners with the Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs and the PMP Training and Technical Assistance Center to help PMPs reach their full potential in combating the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

The Center of Excellence is advised by an Expert Panel of nationally recognized professionals in addiction treatment, pain medicine, public health, and epidemiology. The expertise, experience and commitment of the Center’s staff and advisors make it a unique resource in the fight against prescription drug abuse.

For more information about the Center of Excellence, the Alliance of States with PMPs, and the Training and Technical Assistance Center, please visit: www.pmpexcellence.org.