Pennsylvania is one of 32 states that operate prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs).
While these programs can help reduce illegal diversion of powerful prescription painkillers, there is a key piece missing from the puzzle—Pennsylvania physicians do not have access to the PDMP database. Pennsylvania’s PDMP, which monitors only Schedule II drugs, is accessible only to law enforcement, and is overseen by the state attorney general’s office.
Access to this information would help physicians identify patients with legitimate pain and those who seek to feed their addiction.
About three-quarters of physicians who responded to the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Member Opinion Panel survey said access to an electronic drug database would decrease doctor-shopping, while about half said it would expedite their prescribing of medication.
A drug database also would help physicians trust their patients—a fundamental part of a healthy physician-patient relationship.
Kentucky has seen success with its PDMP, which has been open to physicians and pharmacists since it was established in 1999. Physicians can request a report on a patient the same day that they are going to see them.
“Law enforcement officials in Kentucky and other states view the programs as a deterrent to doctor shopping, because potential diverters are aware that any physician from whom they seek a prescription may first examine their prescription drug utilization history,” the US General Accounting Office wrote to a House of Representatives subcommittee in 2002.
In 2004, the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s House of Delegates voted to pursue legislation that would allow physicians to access the state’s PDMP.