Image showing that a prescription drug monitoring program communicates both ways with pharmacies, allows health care providers to obtain information. In addition, state insurance programs, healthcare licensure boards, state health departments, and law enforcement can also get information from the program.

Image from CDC site

 Preventing Prescription Drug Overdose in Hawai`i

What is the Hawai`i Prescription Monitoring Program?

The Hawai`i Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is an online system that allows medical providers — both prescribers and pharmacists — to monitor patients’ prescriptions for Schedule II-IV controlled substances, to help prevent prescription drug misuse, and improve quality of care. While PMPs alone are not enough to reduce overdose rates or deaths, they are among the most promising clinical tools available to address prescription drug abuse (DHHS 2013). They have been shown to improve clinical decision-making, reduce doctor shopping and diversion of controlled substances, and help curb the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

Who is required to register with the Hawaii Prescription Drug Monitoring
Program?
Any registrant of the Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED) that holds a controlled
substance license (except pharmacies and veterinarians) must register as a data
requestor through the AWARxE website. Registrants who dispense controlled
substances will need to register through the Clearinghouse website as a data submitter
(except veterinarians). (HRS Chapter 329-101)

 Why Should Prescribers Use the PMP?

  • Improve patients’ quality of care, particularly when patients are being treated by more than one provider
  • Support access to legitimate medical use of controlled substances
  • Prevent drug abuse and diversion
  • Identify patients who may be addicted to prescription drugs and help them get treatment
  • Increase confidence in prescribing or denying controlled substances

What is the Concern for Hawai`i?

  • In recent years, drug poisonings have surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading mechanism of injury death in Hawaii.
  • Each year in our state, drug poisonings are responsible for an average of 155 deaths and 4,500 hospital treatments.
  • Pharmaceutical opiates are involved in at least 41% of fatal drug poisonings and 12%-20% of nonfatal drug poisonings.

More Information About this Public Health Problem and Your Role as a Medical Provider

More Information About the Effectiveness of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

For more information on how Hawaii is Preventing Prescription Drug Overdose go to the Strategy, Projects and Community Collaborations  section in the Information On Poisoning Prevention tab

Contact:

[email protected]

Tammie Healani Hoapili Smith MPH – Data Driven Prevention Initiative Coordinator