PMP

Frequently Asked Questions About the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Law Q: When will the law take effect? A: November 1, 2015. Q: What drugs will be I required to check? A: Opiates, benzodiazepines and carisoprodol. Q: How often will I have to check the PMP? A: You must check on the initial prescription of any of the drugs listed above. For a patient who is on one of these drugs long-term, you must re-check at least every 180 days. Q: Can my staff check the PMP for me? A: Yes. The new law will allow staff members to have their own log-in credentials and check the PMP on behalf of the prescribing physician. This is different from current law, which prohibits prescribers from allowing staff to access the PMP, subject to a $2,000 fine per violation. Q: Can I put a copy of the PMP check in the patient’s record? A: Yes. You can note that you checked the PMP and/or print out a copy of the PMP report and keep it in the patient’s medical chart. This differs from current law, which prohibits any notation of a PMP check in a patient’s record. Q: Are there any exemptions? A: Yes. Prescriptions provided to patients in nursing homes or end-of-life care are exempt. Q: I’m a surgeon and my patients are going to be in pain. Won’t this law slow down their post-operative pain treatment? A: In most cases, it shouldn’t. The law does not require the PMP to be checked at the time of prescription, just prior to the prescription being written for a patient of record. In other words, the PMP can be accessed as soon as a patient has an appointment or during the pre-operative period so that the prescription can be ready as soon as it is needed. Q: Who will be responsible for enforcement of this law? A: The various licensure boards will be responsible for enforcing the law on their respective licensees. Violations will be treated and investigated just like any other complaint. Previously, enforcement was done by the Bureau of Narcotics with fines of up to $2,000 per violation. Q: Will this be the law permanently? A: No. The bill contains a five-year sunset provision, meaning the Legislature would have to act to reauthorize it at that time. We are confident that advances in e-prescribing along with better provider education regarding the PMP and opioid prescribing will make a permanent mandate unnecessary. Q: How do I or a member of my staff get registered to access the PMP? A: Contact the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics at 1-877-627-2674 or [email protected].