Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - (Page 4) 4 DRUG TOPICS JUNE 30, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Of Interest to Pharmacists staff doesn’t invoke the same response as good oldfashioned government documentation. This may be especially true in situations when we are having a difficult time trying to reach a physician who is too busy to take the time to listen to our concerns. Once a PAR is sent to a physician, it gives substantially more weight and credibility to our case and also requires an increased level of responsibility for the prescriber. Although medical professionals attempt to work as a team, with doctors and pharmacists continuously collaborating, the exchange of information is not always streamlined and uniform. This stems from the variety of different practices and types of pharmacies available, which fosters great diversity in regards to how information is obtained and represented. The cre- ation of PDMPs has greatly improved the ability of healthcare professionals and investigators to obtain pertinent information on their patients without affecting legitimate medical practice and patient care. This is a great new tool in the pharmacists’ arsenal to not only discourage drug diversion, but also to help track abuse and ensure a patient’s wellbeing. It also gives power to pharmacists to play a more active role in making an intervention. California started allowing access to the PAR in 2005 with other states soon following suit. Although California allows access of its PDMP to pharmacists (or dispensers), not all states do, so it is important to check out your state’s laws and regulations. Such information can be ascertained from a state’s attorney general’s office, Department of Justice, or state board of pharmacy. As of December 2007, 35 states have enacted legislation, which required prescription monitoring programs: 26 of those programs are currently operating and nine are in the start-up phase. Nationally, it appears that there is a trend to have such information more easily accessible to medically appropriate personnel, such as pharmacists. Currently, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is funding programs to promote interstate exchange of PDMP information. This would facilitate tracking patients obtaining prescriptions from various states. If your state does not have a PDMP and wants to start one, or wants to improve its existing program, you can get help at www. ojp.usdoj.gov/bja. Government funding is available to states that want to create or enhance such programs. References are available upon request. HADI ALE-ALI is a Pharm.D. candidate. KEVIN WEISSMAN is Director of Drug Information Services, LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles. http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bja http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bja
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 Contents Is Your Patient Getting His Oxycontin Filled Elsewhere? Top 200 Drugs Used in Hospitals in 2007 Latest News Roundup Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Is Your Patient Getting His Oxycontin Filled Elsewhere? (Page 3) Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Is Your Patient Getting His Oxycontin Filled Elsewhere? (Page 4) Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Top 200 Drugs Used in Hospitals in 2007 (Page 5) Drug Topics - June 30, 2008 - Latest News Roundup (Page 6)
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