A retrospective review of prescription monitoring program use by pharmacists in a community health center outpatient pharmacy

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess community health center (CHC) pharmacists' perception and utilization of the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program (MA PMP). On March 27, 2014, the Governor of Massachusetts declared a public health emergency to combat the growing abuse of opioids including schedule II narcotic prescription analgesic medications in the state. According to state regulations, pharmacies are required to implement policies and procedures to as-sist in the prevention of drug diversion. The MA PMP provides to authorized prescribers, pharmacists, and state or federal agencies a 12-month patient prescription history for schedule II through V controlled substances. The MA PMP tool supports safe medication dispensing by pharmacists and contributes to ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug abuse and diversion. Method(s): This study will be submitted to the institutional review board (IRB) for approval and informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Inclusion criteria are (1) pharmacists practicing at a designated CHC, (2) consenting pharmacists, and (3) MA PMP registered pharmacists. Exclusion criteria include pharmacists whose daily practice does not involve prospective drug utilization review. The primary outcome of this study is the MA PMP utilization rate by CHC dispensing pharmacists. This will be measured through pharmacy dispensing and history records. The secondary outcomes of this study include patient access to schedule II medications as a result of MA PMP utilization and pharmacist knowledge and outlooks regarding MA PMP. Secondary outcomes will be measured through pharmacy dispensing and history records along with an anonymous survey to evaluate perceived utilization of the MA PMP, and viewpoints regarding the usefulness of this system. Descriptive statistics will be used to evaluate outcomes. Result(s): Research in progress. Data collection will begin once IRB approval has been obtained.