The MDA team spoke with Task Force and MDA member Dr. William Kane, and the Executive Director of the Missouri PDMP, Mr. Dean Linneman, to learn more about the rollout of the statewide program, and what it means for Missouri dentists. As the MDA learns more about the roll out of the program, we will keep members informed.
In the spring of 2021, the Missouri General Assembly passed Senate Bill 63 which authorized the creation of the Missouri Joint Oversight Task Force (JOTF) for Prescription Drug Monitoring. This Task Force is charged with the rollout and administration of a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) – making Missouri the last state in the country to implement a statewide electronic PDMP.
What Is a PDMP and How Does It Work? Opioid overdoses are the leading cause of death among Missourians aged 18-44, with the number of Missourians dying from overdoses increasing each year. PDMPs are proven to reduce the abuse and misuse of controlled substances by making dispensation information for such substances available to healthcare providers and pharmacies. When a pharmacy dispenses a schedule II, III or IV controlled substance, it submits information about the dispensation to the PDMP. Similarly, when a provider prescribes a schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance, they will submit that prescription information to the PDMP. The PDMP makes the information available for providers and pharmacists to view when they query the system. Information in the PDMP provides a more complete view of a patient’s prescription history to assist prescribers and dispensers in their decision-making processes.
When Will the Missouri PDMP Be Implemented? The exact go-live date for the new statewide PDMP is yet to be established. The vendor, Bamboo Health, and PDMP staff are currently in the process of creating the system. A detailed communication plan with additional materials, data submission guides and registration information will be sent 4-6 weeks prior to the go-live date.
Will I Be Required to Use The PDMP? Yes – SB63 requires healthcare providers who prescribe a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance report the prescription to the statewide PDMP. Providers are not required to check the PDMP prior to writing a new prescription but are STRONGLY encouraged. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act requires providers to check the PDMP prior to prescribing a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance to a MO HealthNet participant. If a provider does not upload a patient’s information to the database, he or she could be fined up to $1,000.
What If I Already Use the St. Louis County PDMP? Approximately 94% of all Missouri healthcare providers already utilize the St. Louis County PDMP. For these providers, you will NOT need to re-register for the statewide system. The Missouri PDMP staff is working with the St. Louis County program to coordinate the transfer of its data to the statewide system. Providers NOT currently enrolled in the St. Louis County PDMP WILL be required to register with the new statewide system. Click to learn more about the St. Louis County PDMP.
Where Can I Learn More? Click to learn more about the State PDMP.