PMP
What is controlled substance reporting?
- Controlled substances reporting uses a centralized database to collect and analyze Schedule II-V controlled substances from all outpatient pharmacies that dispense prescriptions.
- This type of reporting is intended to be a source of information for practitioners and pharmacists to use in the care of patients, as well as a tool to help deter drug abuse and diversion. This reporting system is not intended to prevent patients from obtaining needed drugs.
Why is controlled substance reporting needed?
The most recent statistics in Georgia (July 2009) show prescription drugs are the contributing factor for almost 85% of all drug related deaths in Georgia. In 2008 there were 638 drug overdose deaths in Georgia. Of those 638 deaths 543 involved prescription drugs or a combination of prescription and illicit drugs. There were only 95 deaths involving illicit drugs only. The drugs found through toxicology tests in the hightest numbers were: methadone; alprazolam; hydrocodone; oxycodone; cocaine. This means 5 of the 6 top drugs causing deaths in the State of Georgia are prescription drugs. Source: GBI Press Release 7/8/2009
Prescription dug abuse comprises approximately 30% of all drug abuse in the
Between 1992 and 2003:
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Adult abuse rose 81%
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Teen abuse rose 212%
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Teen abuse of prescription opiods rose 542%
Teen risk of abusing prescription drugs:
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5 times the risk of using marijuana
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12 times the risk of using heroin
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15 times the risk of using ecstasy
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21 times the risk of using cocaine
Prescription drug abuse and diversion:
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Threatens patient and public safety
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Impacts the medical community
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Impacts law enforcement and the criminal justice system
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Impacts employers and coworkers
Source: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University – CASA Report
What are the benefits of controlled substance reporting?
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Gives prescribers an added tool in patient care
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Gets patients who are addicted into proper treatment
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Curbs illicit use of prescription drugs
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Reduces prescription drug overdoses
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Oversees Schedule II through V controlled substances
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Requires dispensers to submit data electronically
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Provides for confidentiality of information
What Can You Do?
If you would like to support controlled substance reporting, contact your Representatives and Senators today.
You may also call your representative at:
1. House Clerk’s Office: (404)656-5015
2. Secretary of the Senate: (404)656-5040
Other Frequently Asked Questions Concerning controlled substance reporting
What data will be collected?
Data will be collected for controlled substance prescription Schedules II through V from dispensers such as pharmacies.
Will this include non-controlled substance prescription medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, HIV medications, birth control medications, hormones?
No. Only controlled substance Schedules II through V will be required to be submitted.
Who will have access to the data?
The intent of this program is to compile data for those who already have access to this data. Examples of individuals who will have access to this data will be pharmacists, physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, other practitioners as allowed, and other entities authorized by law.
How will authorized users gain access to the data?
Authorized users will be given a unique username and password after they have been validated and approved by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency. Authorized users will then be able to log in to the database from a computer with access to the internet.
Where will this information be stored?
The information will be stored at a secure site by a contracted vendor. The vendor will be determined upon successful passing and implementation of the PMP. Access to this information will be regulated by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency.
What are the penalties for improper access and use of this information?
Improper access, use, and dissemination of this information will be a felony punishable by imprisonment and fines. All logins and every query will be traceable.
Will this cost taxpayers money?
Initially there will be no cost to the taxpayers. The Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency has obtained Federal grant money to implement this program and we are currently seeking additional grant money to sustain the program.
Will this cost the pharmacy or pharmacist money?
No. There will be no cost incurred by the pharmacy.
Will there be a fee to obtain the data?
No. There will be no fees for authorized users to obtain data.
Are hospitals, prisons, and other institutional facilities exempt?
Yes. Hospitals, prisons, and other institutional facilities will not be required to submit data to a controlled substance reporting program. However, certain persons employed by these facilities may become authorized users to obtain the data upon validation and approval.
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