Do mandatory prescription drug monitoring programs effectively reduce opioid sales?

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) have emerged as state‐level interventions intended to curb opioid abuse and over‐prescription. While some states have voluntary PDMPs, others have enacted mandatory or “must-access” programs in which authorized individuals must consult the PDMP before prescribing certain controlled substances. An analysis published in Contemporary Economic Policy reveals that must‐access PDMP implementation does not uniformly reduce prescription retail opioid sales across eight commonly prescribed opioids.

Must-access PDMP implementation had no statistically significant effect on the retail sales of the treatment drugs methadone and buprenorphine.

The findings suggest that PDMP implementation is best considered as part of a broader policy response to the opioid crisis.

“The United States opioid epidemic is a complex problem. These results suggest that must-access PDMP implementation alone cannot fully address the public health issues associated with this ongoing public health crisis,” said corresponding author Collin Hodges, PhD, of the University of Central Arkansas.

URL Upon Publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/coep.12586

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First published in 1982, Contemporary Economic Policy publishes scholarly research and analysis on important policy issues facing society. The journal provides insight into the complexity of policy decisions and communicates evidence-based solutions in a form accessible to economists and policy makers. Contemporary Economic Policy provides a forum for debate by enhancing our understanding of key issues and methods used for policy analysis. 

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