Using the Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMP).

Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that will not be controlled without a well-coordinated effort. Prescribers in Rhode Island can contribute substantively to this effort by using the Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (“PMP”) consistently. The PMP is a simple on-line tool that helps prescribers monitor patient-prescription histories. Every prescription filled in the state is input to the PMP system within seven days of filling (and the average lag is less). Why use the PMP? In the words of an old axiom from medical school, “It’s what you don’t know you don’t know that will hurt you” – and your patients. I work with physicians every day who are genuinely surprised by the patient-prescription histories they review in the PMP. Consider. In the year 2013, 1,394 Rhode Island residents used five or more pharmacies to fill prescriptions from five or more prescribers. Are at least some of these people diverting prescription drugs from their intended purposes? Yes, of course. Did you unknowingly write prescriptions for any of these people? Possibly. Using the PMP helps you avoid this problem. Less ominously, but also of potentially great concern, are those patients who do not inform you of prescriptions written for reasons unconnected with the care you provide. For example, a patient taking a benzodiazepine for anxiety may forget to mention this fact when being seen for severe pain following a serious injury – pain for which you would normally (and appropriately) prescribe an opioid. Does the benzodiazepine prescription matter? Of course. Using the PMP helps you avoid potentially dangerous prescribing conflicts such as this.