335-Manchikanti - NASPER A PUBLIC LAW.indd

The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Act of 2005 is a law that provides for the establishment of a controlled substance monitoring program in each state, with communication between state programs. It amends the Public Health Service Act to require the United States (U.S.) Secretary of Health and Human Services to award 1-year grants to each state with an In the United States, physicians are faced with two opposing dilemmas in the treatment of pain – the potential for drug abuse and diversion, and the possible undertreatment of pain. While controlled prescription drugs such as narcotic analgesics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, stimulants, and sedative-hypnotics, play a legitimate role in managing chronic pain and other conditions, the illicit use of prescribed medicines is increasing at epidemic proportions. Diversion and abuse of prescription drugs is costly in terms of addiction, overdose, death, and related criminal activities, but chronic pain carries signifi cant economic, social, and health impact as well. The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), as the introducing organization, was joined by several physician and nurse practitioner organizations in support of the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Act of 2005, legislation that not only will give physicians an information tool to aid in prescribing controlled substances but also will help identify illicit use and abuse. NASPER is the law that provides for the establishment of a controlled substances monitoring program in each state. The concept for NASPER originated with ASIPP and was modeled after the highly successful Kentucky All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Program (KASPER). Legislation was introduced in the United States House of Representatives during three different Congresses, the 107, 108, and 109, by Reps. Edward Whitfi eld (R-KY) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). It was fi rst introduced in the United States Senate in the 107 Congress by Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AK), and in the 108 and 109 by Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), with multiple cosponsors in both chambers. NASPER passed the House on July 27, 2005, by voice vote and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on July 29, 2005. President George W. Bush signed NASPER on August 11, 2005, and it became Public Law 109-60. Implementation of NASPER will improve patient care and reduce abuse and diversion of prescription controlled substances.