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Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: Views on Usefulness and Challenges of Programs

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Oct. 1, 2020
Release Date Oct. 1, 2020
Report No. GAO-21-22
Summary:

Prescription medications, if misused or overprescribed, can lead to dangerous drug interactions, abuse, overdose, or death. Prescription drug monitoring programs—state-operated electronic databases that track patient prescriptions for opioids and other medications—can help.

Physicians said that access to these programs improved patient care and helped them prevent drug misuse and potentially dangerous drug prescribing.

But drug monitoring programs aren't always accessible from within electronic health record systems. State and federal agencies are helping to integrate the 2 systems—such as by offering funds or providing technical support.

Syringes, pills and pill bottles on a black surface.

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