Information for Dispensers

OSA's main goal with starting and maintaining the Prescription Monitoring Program is to provide a tool to health care professionals to prevent and detect prescription drug misuse. PMP data is available to you online.

Dispensers of controlled substances in Maine are required to submit their transactions to OSA's data management contractor, GHS, Inc. Data must be submitted electronically by the 15th and 30th of each month. The data must be in ASAP 1999 format for all transactions involving Schedule II-IV drugs in Maine.

OSA requests that dispensers provide the cleanest data possible. We ask for special care to be taken with the prescriber's DEA number. GHS will do some data cleaning, but they are limited in their capacity to do so. Because the DEA number is an integral part of providing information to prescribers, it is especially important that the proper number is recorded in the system.

Online data access is available to approved dispensers (and prescribers) through the Prescription Data Portal.

Prescription Data Portal

OSA has an online data portal to access Prescription Monitoring Program data. To obtain this data on line, you must first register with the PMP.

Registration : To register with the PMP:

Point an Internet browser to http://www.maine.gov/pmp; then, follow the link to the GHS Web Site.
Next, scroll down to the “Sign Up” button for new users, and click on it.
Fill in the required fields (for “User Type,” choose “Both” if you will be submitting and requesting data).
Click the “Submit” button.

Once your registration is approved, you can log in at www.maine.gov/pmp to obtain Patient History Reports online.

Using Reports

OSA is aware that Patient History Reports could create tough decisions for pharmacists dealing with customers who appear to be involved with questionable activity.

By state law [32 MRSA § 13795 (2)], a pharmacist may exercise discretion and refuse to fill any prescription or dispense any drug if he or she is unsatisfied as to the legitimacy or appropriateness of any prescription presented.

OSA does not presume to tell dispensing pharmacies what to do with PMP data. Pharmacists should use their best professional judgment on each case as it presents itself. Please contact prescribers connected to the customer if it could be helpful. The objective is to identify possible problems, get people the treatment they need, and curb the illicit use of prescription drugs.

Confidentiality:

Be assured that OSA and GHS carefully protect patient confidentiality. Access to the data is limited to registered users.

HIPAA:

Because OSA is a “health oversight agency” under HIPAA and the data submission is mandated by legislation, pharmacies do not need to use a patient release form or notify their patients that information is being released (see 45 CFR Section 164.512). However, pharmacies are not prevented from adding text about this release of information to their release of information forms.

Questions?

We want to create a good working relationship among the state, prescribers, and dispensers as we use this system to provide better care to the people of this state and address the problem of prescription drug misuse. Please feel free to contact us at OSA with your questions and concerns (207-287-2595). Also, GHS is available to answer any questions about data submission (207-622-7153).

Further Information

PMP Overview

Resources

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