On 2017 Oct 29, David Keller commented:

Pharmacists should be enlisted to help physicians monitor PDMP data

Recommendation #9 is: "Clinicians should review the patient’s history of controlled substance prescriptions using state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to determine whether the patient is receiving opioid dosages or dangerous combinations that put him or her at high risk for overdose. Clinicians should review PDMP data when starting opioid therapy for chronic pain and periodically during opioid therapy for chronic pain, ranging from every prescription to every 3 months."

Prescribing physicians should obtain and review the patient's PDMP data, if possible, prior to initiating any opioid prescription. In addition, pharmacists must be enlisted to check the PDMP databases whenever they fill a prescription for a Schedule 2, 3 or 4 medication. If the pharmacist discovers evidence of concurrent opioid prescriptions or other red flags, they should inform the prescriber and the patient.

The 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain establishes a de facto standard of care for prescribing opioids, which will enhance patient safety, and thereby increase access to opioids for patients who really need them. Prescribers will gain a degree of protection from lawsuits for adverse outcomes related to opioid therapy by documenting careful adherence to the 12 recommendations in the CDC Guidelines. This adherence (and documentation) will increase the cost of caring for pain patients, as measured in physician time and effort.

Pharmacists should be required to cross-check the PDMP databases with every opioid fill and refill, and transmit their findings to the prescribing physician, especially red-flag findings. This will be an easy task for pharmacists, and will free up physician time to perform the extensive discussions and documentation required by these Guidelines.

On 2017 Oct 29, David Keller commented:

Pharmacists should be enlisted to help physicians monitor PDMP data

Recommendation #9 is: "Clinicians should review the patient’s history of controlled substance prescriptions using state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to determine whether the patient is receiving opioid dosages or dangerous combinations that put him or her at high risk for overdose. Clinicians should review PDMP data when starting opioid therapy for chronic pain and periodically during opioid therapy for chronic pain, ranging from every prescription to every 3 months."

Prescribing physicians should obtain and review the patient's PDMP data, if possible, prior to initiating any opioid prescription. In addition, pharmacists must be enlisted to check the PDMP databases whenever they fill a prescription for a Schedule 2, 3 or 4 medication. If the pharmacist discovers evidence of concurrent opioid prescriptions or other red flags, they should inform the prescriber and the patient.

The 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain establishes a de facto standard of care for prescribing opioids, which will enhance patient safety, and thereby increase access to opioids for patients who really need them. Prescribers will gain a degree of protection from lawsuits for adverse outcomes related to opioid therapy by documenting careful adherence to the 12 recommendations in the CDC Guidelines. This adherence (and documentation) will increase the cost of caring for pain patients, as measured in physician time and effort.

Pharmacists should be required to cross-check the PDMP databases with every opioid fill and refill, and transmit their findings to the prescribing physician, especially red-flag findings. This will be an easy task for pharmacists, and will free up physician time to perform the extensive discussions and documentation required by these Guidelines.