Opioids overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States. According to the CDC, in 2017 more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and of those deaths nearly 68 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid. NCPDP has had a priority focus on developing a solution to help address the epidemic since 2013. At that time, the ANSI-accredited, standards development organization took visionary action publishing a white paper that details a standards-based model for prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) with best practice guidance to help providers to make informed decisions at the point of prescribing. The model solution is intended to provide access for patients with a valid medical need and reduce fraud and abuse.

PDMPs, the state-operated databases that collect information on dispensed medications, have evolved historically since the program was first enacted in 1939 in California to enforce drug laws. Still, the overall effectiveness of PDMPs is challenged by a lack of standards to share drug abuse information within and across the states to address potential drug abuse and diversion.

Lee Ann Stember, NCPDP’s President & CEO, provides an overview of the model embraced by industry stakeholder groups and now referenced in legislation. Stember will also share her personal connection with the issue, with a special guest and a call to action on how to engage and help make a difference.