What is the Prescription Monitoring Program?
Prescription Monitoring Program – NL is another action of the Provincial Government’s Opioid Action Plan aimed at addressing the growing opioid issue.
The purpose of the program is to help prescribers and dispensers make the most informed decisions when choosing a monitored drug to treat a patient. Using the provincial electronic health record, prescribers and dispensers will have access to up-to-date and accurate patient medication profiles to help inform and support the needs of their patients.
Why do we need the Prescription Monitoring Program?
Prescription drug abuse is an issue that impacts the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians every day. It will take a collective effort to make headway to address and reduce this serious public health issue.
Prescription monitoring programs can help improve drug prescribing, lower or prevent risks related to certain drugs, and can help identify patients who may be at risk of addiction. The program is not intended to prevent the use of prescription drugs for legitimate medical purposes. There are many reasons why certain drugs are the most appropriate treatment for a patient’s condition. The program is not meant to deter prescribers from making an informed clinical decision.WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM?
Some important public health goals that are expected from the program include an increase in the quality of patient care, greater confidence when prescribing and dispensing drugs and greater efficiency and coordination of care. The program is also expected to lead to a decrease in drug misuse, and prevent or reduce hospitalizations and deaths related to drug misuse.
WHO PROVIDES OVERSIGHT OF THE PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM?
The Minister of Health and Community Services provides oversight of the program. An Advisory Committee will be appointed by the Minister to provide advice and recommendations.
Additionally, a Prescription Monitoring Program Consultants Committee will be appointed by the Minister. It will make recommendations and provide a critical and clinical lens to generated reports which require review.
Administration of the program will be carried out by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI).