Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: Relationships Among Program Awareness, Use, and State Mandates.

The inappropriate use of opioids in the United States has increased markedly and has resulted in a tragic loss of lives. To combat this problem, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) have been instituted in most states. Use of the programs is voluntary for prescribers in some states, whereas in other states it is mandatory.

Awareness and utilization of a prescription monitoring program among physicians.

In 2011, 5 years after the implementation of a statewide prescription monitoring program (PMP) in Ohio, a survey was distributed to physicians in five specialty areas. During the study period, 95 of 156 surveys were returned, for a 61% response rate. The purpose of the questionnaire was to assess utilization rates as well as reasons for accessing the PMP database and any influence the database may have had on prescribing practices.