Alabama’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: The Essentials
Correct and complete prescription information is essential to the integrity of the controlled substance database. Incomplete or inaccurate prescription information can result in prescriptions not being transmitted to the controlled substance database, which can cause inaccurate patient records, complications between prescribers and their regulatory boards, and a diminished clinical tool for healthcare providers. During this presentation, Alabama Statute and Administrative Rules related to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) will be discussed, and the importance of submitting timely and accurate information will be emphasized. This presentation will provide pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the information needed to successfully submit required prescription information: instructions for establishing a reporting account, the process by which dispensations are submitted, definitions of warning and error, and what fields must be completed to avoid having an error. Lastly, this presentation aims to enhance community pharmacists' understanding and utilization of the PDMP. By focusing on accurate data entry, effective PDMP use, interstate data sharing, and understanding the Overdose Risk Score (ORS), the session addresses key areas to reduce prescription drug abuse and improve patient care.
This project is supported by Grant No 15PBJA-22-GK-03113-PDMP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Target Audience
This knowledge-based program is intended for Pharmacists (ACPE) and Pharmacy Technicians (ACPE).
Learning Objectives
Pharmacists:
1. Review the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program’s (PDMP) purpose and who has legal access to the controlled substance database.
2. Explain the mission of PDMP Compliance Program.
3. Describe best practices when utilizing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in a community pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technicians:
1. Discuss the Pharmacy Technician’s role in ensuring accurate prescription information is entered.
2. Explain the mission of PDMP Compliance Program and how pharmacy technicians can assist in reducing prescription errors.
3. Describe best practices when utilizing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in a community pharmacy.
AL PDMP Essentials Program Packet.pdf
Common Errors - This presentation will provide pharmacists and pharmacy technicians information needed to successfully submit required prescription information to the Alabama Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) controlled substance database. Complete and accurate data is necessary to maintain the database’s integrity and ensure it can be used as an effective clinical tool by prescribers and pharmacists. Specifically, this presentation will provide (1) instruction for establishing a reporting account, (2) the process by which dispensations are submitted, (3) definitions of warning and error, and (4) what fields must be completed to avoid having an error.
Best Practice - This presentation aims to enhance community pharmacists' understanding and utilization of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in Alabama. By focusing on accurate data entry, effective PDMP use, interstate data sharing, and understanding the Overdose Risk Score (ORS), the session addresses key areas to reduce prescription drug abuse and improve patient care. Evidence for the educational need includes the high volume of data entry errors in 2021, inconsistent PDMP utilization, and the lack of comprehensive training on ORS and interstate data. This targeted education will equip pharmacists with the necessary skills to effectively use the PDMP, ensuring data integrity and better patient outcomes.
Compliance Law - This presentation is a review of the history and laws pertaining to the Alabama Prescription Monitoring Program. Included is a explanation of the required fields that must be included in prescription information submitted to the controlled substance database. This information is important to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and compliance will ensure all controlled substance prescription information submitted is accurate and timely.
A copy of the presentation slides are located within the course content. Once you have registered for the course, please navigate to the 'Take Course' tab and click the navy blue 'Take Course' button. Navigate to the 'Course Materials' section of the course using the left-hand menu and download a PDF version of the program presentation.
Vicki Walker serves as the Compliance Program Administrator for the Alabama Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) within the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Pharmacy Division. In her current position, Mrs. Walker assists with training opportunities for prescribers and pharmacists, works with the state regulatory boards, and assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians within the state’s pharmacies with understanding more about the PDMP functions. The primary focus of this newly developed program is managing compliance issues with prescription error and warning corrections, contacting and training pharmacists, and collaborating with the Alabama Board of Pharmacy to ensure pharmacies are reporting daily, entering mandatory data elements, and making corrections timely. In her previous position as the PDMP Administrator, she was responsible for the daily operations of the PDMP which involved assisting users with registration for PDMP accounts, updating information on their accounts, password resets, and utilization of the PDMP within their scope of respective practice. Mrs. Walker has previously worked in various areas of state government agencies, private assisted living communities, and both chain and independent pharmacies.
Dr. Jessica Hung graduated from Auburn University's Harrison School of Pharmacy in 2014. Upon graduation, she joined Semmes Pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist, where she initiated several key programs, including medication synchronization, medication therapy management, immunizations, and point-of-care testing. Jessica has collaborated with other independent pharmacies and has worked with major chains such as CVS, Walmart, and Costco. In 2024, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming an owner of Semmes Pharmacy. Jessica takes great pride in mentoring students and demonstrating the vital role that retail pharmacists play as integral members of healthcare teams, advocating for both their patients and the profession. Her dedication to education was recognized in 2020 when she was awarded Preceptor of the Year by Auburn University. In July 2022, she received the Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award. Outside of her professional life, Jessica enjoys cooking and traveling the world with her husband, Zach, and their dog, Caden.
Nancy Bishop serves as State Pharmacy Director at the Alabama Department of Public Health. In her current position, Ms. Bishop serves as the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Director, trains health professionals on the use of the PDMP, oversees the naloxone distribution program, participates in emergency preparedness readiness training, manages medications used in emergencies and disasters, manages Pharmacy Division federal grants, and has a consulting role with the county health departments and other pharmacy related programs throughout the state. With over 40 years of experience as a pharmacist, she has worked in a variety of settings including hospital, retail, home infusion and specialty. She is a member of the Alabama Pharmacist Association, the American Pharmacist Association and the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy Dean’s Leadership. Ms. Bishop earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from Auburn University.
Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide. The Universal Activity Number for this knowledge-based program is 0001-9999-24-035-H04-P/T and is intended for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The initial release date for this home-study program is August 20, 2024 and the intended expiration date is August 20, 2027.
Available Credit
- 1.25 ACPE PharmacyAuburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
- 1.25 ACPE TechnicianAuburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.