Tag: Pdmp

In 2019, 65% of office-based physicians reported frequently using their state's prescription monitoring database before prescribing controlled substances [1.7.1]. So, is there a national database for prescriptions? The answer is complex, involving a network of state-run systems rather than one central repository.

Nearly every U.S. state operates a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) that tracks controlled substances, making it highly probable that a doctor will know if I get a prescription from another doctor for this category of medication. The visibility of non-controlled prescriptions, however, depends on various factors, including shared electronic health record systems and pharmacy networks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have occurred in recent years, with doctor shopping being a significant contributing factor. But what does doctor shopping mean, and why is it so dangerous?