Reassessing the Effectiveness of Prescription Monitoring Programs

Prescription drug overdose deaths, mostly from opioid pain relievers, now outpace motor vehicle fatalities in most states. In about 35 states, electronic databases known as prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) are intended to reduce abuse of prescription drugs and overdose by tracking pharmacy dispensing and making data available to clinicians and law enforcement. This study will provide evidence-based information of effectiveness to administrators and inform policy decisions at the national level.