Public Policy Update

Connor Flanagin

Over the past several months the Joint Oversight Task Force for Prescription Drug Monitoring has been working to develop and operationalize a Missouri state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). The Public Policy committee recently conducted a MSHP member survey to gather input and provide feedback directly to this task force.  The goal of the survey was to identify and communicate the priorities of MSHP members with regard to a MO state-wide PDMP. A majority of respondents (91%) agreed that the PDMP should have full integration within the electronic health record (EHR). The survey collected a list of the most common EHRs utilized by members for the taskforce, to aid them as they evaluate vendors for this capability. MHSP members also voiced that the PDMP should have interconnectivity between all 50 states. A PDMP with a high level of interconnectivity would be advantageous in a state like Missouri, which shares its border with eight different states.  The survey also identified some functionality of the current Saint Louis County PDMP that worked well that would ideally be carried forward in the MO state PDMP. The Public Policy Committee shared the comments and data collected in the survey directly with Joint Oversight Task Force for Prescription Drug Monitoring. Additional discussion on the PDMP and other exciting topics will continue in the monthly Public Policy Committee meetings.