A recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that in 2015 more adults used prescription painkillers than cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco combined. Politicians, government agencies, and policymakers have touted prescription drug monitoring programs as a way to curb the over-prescription and side effects of opioids.
While prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a useful tool for healthcare providers, they are no magic pill for the opioid epidemic. In fact, PDMPs have structural and operations limitations that hinder their potential. Lawmakers and healthcare leaders should move fast to address these limitations.
