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Ohio News: OARRS Reporting News
Published in the May 2009 Ohio State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter
If you are responsible for your pharmacy’s reporting process to the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) program (the Board’s prescription monitoring program), please be sure you make note of these two important changes that are being implemented.
First, no later than July 1, 2009, all data reports from the pharmacies must be submitted to the OARRS program directly rather than through Atlantic Associates. You should have received notification of this change already from the OARRS program administrator. If not, please contact the OARRS staff immediately as your time for implementation will be getting short. Please read and follow the instructions you received carefully, so that we can avoid problems during this transition. During this time of a tight state budget, this change will allow us to save a significant amount of money by performing this function ourselves instead of contracting it out. Each pharmacy will need to register a user name and password with OARRS prior to submitting an electronic file. Details are available on the Web site at www.ohiopmp.gov. Under “Resources” click on “Documents” then on “OARRS Handbook.”
The second change to the OARRS program that is being implemented is an increase in the frequency of reporting from twice a month to weekly. From the time the program started until now, we have required reports to be submitted to OARRS on a twice-a-month basis. The problem with that process is that the data available for use by physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcement is at least three weeks old before it gets to the system. The direct reporting method discussed above will lower that figure by a few days, but the combination of direct reporting and weekly data submission should decrease the lag time to only 10 days or so.
In order to implement this second change, it will be necessary for the Board to make a change to rule 4729-37-07. The Board approved the filing of the proposed rule change and, after going through the state’s rule process, it should be effective in June.
Please note that this language states that “at least weekly” submission will be required no later than September 1, 2009. The OARRS program will be able to receive submissions more frequently (eg, daily) if a pharmacy is able and willing to do so.
In addition to the need to make the data available more timely for the end users, this weekly reporting is also a requirement for the OARRS program to receive federal funding, which is sorely needed for the continuance of this valuable program. The Board would appreciate your compliance with these new requirements and strongly encourages pharmacists and prescribers to use the system appropriately.
