The American Medical Association has announced its approval of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) pilot programs aimed at making existing prescription drug use data available to providers and pharmacists when treating patients in ambulatory and emergency departments.
“AMA is deeply involved and committed to efforts that will curb prescription drug abuse and diversion. When properly constructed and operated, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) can be a key tool for physicians to use in combating prescription drug abuse while ensuring patients get the treatment they need for pain and suffering. The AMA has advocated for PDMP data to be available to physicians at the point of care as part of their normal workflow and is pleased to see the Administration making strides toward this goal through the creation of new pilot programs,” Ardis D. Hoven, M.D., president-elect of the AMA, said in a statement.
Two pilot projects, launched in Indiana and Ohio, will look to measure the efforts of expanding and improving access to prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). PDMPs are statewide electronic databases designed to be used as a tool by healthcare providers to identify and intervene in cases of potential prescription drug abuse. The databases collect, monitor, and analyze electronically transmitted prescribing and dispensing data submitted by pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.
