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NABP PMP InterConnect Steering Committee Finalizes Governance Structure and Policies
Originally published in the November-December 2011 NABP Newsletter
The NABP PMP InterConnectSM Steering Committee met August 30-31, 2011, to finalize the governance structure of the committee and develop policies and procedures, as well as to review implementation progress and discuss administrative matters.
The Steering Committee governs the NABP InterConnect and is composed exclusively of representatives of the prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) that are participating in the NABP InterConnect system. The Steering Committee serves as the governing and advisory body as it relates to the administration and function of the NABP InterConnect. No outside organization, public or private, has access to the NABP InterConnect, a vote about, influence over, or the ability to direct the administration and function of the NABP InterConnect. Outside parties and subject matter experts may, however, be invited by the Steering Committee to provide information for the committee’s consideration from time to time.
“The composition of the steering committee – including representatives of all states that have signed the memorandum of understanding [MOU] to participate – has been critical to the success of the NABP InterConnect by helping to ensure that the system meets each state PMP’s needs,” says Danna Droz, RPh, JD, PMP administrator, Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System. Droz states further that “bringing in ideas and information from states that are planning to participate or considering participation has also benefitted the development of the NABP InterConnect system. To achieve the goal of interoperability among all state PMP systems, including all current and potential participants is the best course of action.”
Governance
Currently, the Steering Committee is composed of representatives of participating PMPs in the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Additional members will join as they agree to participate and execute the MOU with NABP.
At the August meeting, committee members unanimously adopted operating principals that will govern the activities and interactions of the committee, including the following:
- A chairperson of the committee will be appointed annually by the NABP president.
- Voting (active) members of the committee will be composed of those states that have executed an MOU with NABP for participation in NABP InterConnect.
- The committee, through the chairperson, may invite other states to participate in the Steering Committee as guests. The committee, through the chairperson, may invite other guests to participate, attend, or observe the Steering Committee meetings. Such individuals may include the technology solution provider for NABP InterConnect; PMP software vendors; relevant federal or state agencies or national associations dedicated to patient safety, safe drug use, and deterring diversion of controlled substances; or any other person as determined by the discretion of the chairperson.
More information about the NABP InterConnect Steering Committee and these operating principles is available in the Programs section of the NABP Web site.
Funding and Expenditures
NABP is paying for all costs associated with the development and implementation of the NABP InterConnect, as well as five years of annual participation fees for each participating PMP using, exclusively, its own revenues derived from program resources and its reserves. NABP has the financial resources to make this commitment without the need to use any outside funding sources.
NABP received an unrestricted educational grant from Purdue Pharma L.P. in the amount of $1 million. Although not restricted by Purdue in any way, the NABP Foundation® has determined that this grant will not be used for any costs associated with the development, implementation, or ongoing operational costs of the NABP InterConnect. This grant will be administered through the NABP Foundation, which is a separate nonprofit organization. Funds held by the NABP Foundation are used for special educational or public safety projects that are separate from and outside NABP’s core programs and activities.
The NABP Foundation is making the Purdue unrestricted grant funds available to any state that needs and requests financial assistance to modify its PMP software to participate in the NABP InterConnect. As of October 10, 2011, the NABP Foundation has paid out $203,340 to state PMPs or their software vendors for purposes of connecting individual states via the NABP InterConnect.
Information about the cost and funding of the NABP InterConnect is available in the NABP PMP InterConnect section of the NABP Web site.
