New Massachusetts Attorney General Wants to Strengthen the State's PMP
Maura Healey, Massachusetts' new attorney general, plans to strengthen the state's prescription monitoring program (PMP) as part of her larger goal of combating heroin use and prescription drug abuse.
PRESS RELEASE
Maura Healey, Massachusetts’ new attorney general, plans to strengthen the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP) as part of her larger goal of combating heroin use and prescription drug abuse, reports the Boston Globe. Currently, pharmacists are not required to check the PMP to dispense medications; instead consulting the PMP is voluntary. Additionally, PMP data is not displayed in real time, making it difficult for pharmacists and prescribers to accurately assess a patient’s risk of medication abuse. Healey plans to work with the governor and other state officials to address these issues.
NABP has also worked to combat prescription drug abuse through its NABP PMP InterConnect®program, which connects 27 state PMPs, allowing for the secure sharing of PMP data across state borders. Additionally, NABP’s AWARXE® Prescription Drug Safety Program provides resources for preventing prescription drug abuse, tips for safe medication storage and disposal, and a searchable database of drug disposal sites nationwide, available through the Disposal Sites section of the AWARXE website.
