What is a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)?

A prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is a state-run initiative designed to track the prescription and dispensing of controlled substances. This program serves multiple important purposes, such as helping to prevent drug abuse and misuse by providing healthcare professionals with access to patients' medication histories. By monitoring prescriptions, PDMPs aim to identify potential patterns of excessive prescribing or doctor shopping, where patients visit multiple doctors to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.

Such oversight aids in ensuring that patients receive medications safely and responsibly, and can assist law enforcement in identifying misuse of prescription drugs. The specificity of the program being state-run and focused on controlled substances is critical, as it distinguishes PDMPs from other programs or initiatives that may deal with broader health issues or different types of medications. This targeted approach is central to the mission of PDMPs in combating the opioid crisis and promoting public health.