Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Decrease Prescribing of Pain Medications

States that implemented a prescription drug monitoring program had a near immediate 30% overall decrease in prescribing rates for Schedule II opioids.

Prescribing of pain medications, particularly opioids, has drawn the sharp attention of policymakers because of the precipitous rise in addiction and overdose. Researchers evaluated National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data from 2001 to 2010 to determine the impact of state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) on physician prescribing practices.

The study population was restricted to adults who reported pain as at least one reason for an ambulatory care office visit in 24 states that had implemented a PDMP during the study period. Of 26,275 such visits, 5% resulted in a prescription of at least one Schedule II opioid, 15% in a prescription of at least one opioid analgesic of any kind, 41% in a prescription of any pain med…

Reviewing Author

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Decrease Prescribing of Pain Medications

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Reviewing Author