First PMPs Sign On to Participate in NABP PMP Interconnect

March 4, 2011 11:19 am Topics: Prescription monitoring program

Enhancing their ability to fight prescription drug abuse, prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) in the states of Ohio and Virginia have entered agreements with NABP to participate in the PMP Interconnect^TM currently under development. Building on the progress already made by PMIX (Prescription Monitoring Program Information Exchange) and taking it to the next level, PMP Interconnect will facilitate the secure transfer of PMP data across states lines and on a national scale. Participation by PMPs will involve little or no cost to the state.

As the first step in participating in the PMP Interconnect, operators of the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System and the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program have signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with NABP. Fostering efficiency of time and resources, PMPs choosing to participate in PMP Interconnect can enter into a single MOU with NABP, as opposed to a PMP developing separate contractual agreements for data sharing with every other participating PMP.

The PMP Interconnect will not store prescription data. Instead, when one state PMP requests data from another state PMP, prescription data is transferred through PMP Interconnect immediately, provided that it meets each state’s security requirements. The prescription data will remain secure throughout the process via encryption protocols. When data is being transferred in response to a request, only a limited amount of routing data will be accessible to PMP Interconnect in order to route the request from the disclosing PMP to the requesting PMP.

Implementation of PMP Interconnect is currently scheduled to occur by July 30, 2011. Additional information about the development of the PMP Interconnect is available in the March 2011 NABP Newsletter. Those seeking further information or states with PMPs that are interested in participating in the PMP Interconnect, may contact NABP Government Affairs by sending an e-mail to GovernmentAffairs@nabp.net.