Prescription Drug Monitoring Program FAQ

General FAQs

What is a Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)?
A Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP; sometimes called a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, or PDMP) is a state-run electronic database that tracks controlled prescription drugs that are dispensed to patients within the state. A PMP is a tool that prescribers, pharmacists, and other healthcare and public health professionals can use to address misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs.

Why does Maine have a PMP?
The Maine PMP was created to prevent and detect the misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs in Maine.

Which drugs does Maine’s PMP monitor?
The Maine PMP monitors all drugs in Schedules II, III, and IV, as described by the Federal Controlled Substances Act External site disclaimer (CSA).

How does Maine’s PMP work?
Dispensers are required to submit information about dispensed controlled substances to Maine’s PMP, a secure online database, within one business day of dispensation.
Licensed medical prescribers, pharmacists, and others as authorized by law are able to access their patient’s information in the PMP before they prescribe or dispense a controlled substance. In certain circumstances, according to 22 M.R.S.§ 7253, prescribers and dispensers are required to check the PMP. Checking the PMP can help identify patients that may be misusing or diverting prescription drugs, or that may be at risk for overdose or harmful drug interactions.

Do other states have PMPs?
Forty-nine states (including Maine), the District of Columbia, and one U.S. territory (Guam) currently have operational PMPs. You can find more information about other states’ PMP programs on the PDMP Training and Technical Assistance Center’s website External site disclaimer.

Who can access the Maine PMP?
Prescribers, dispensers, and their authorized delegates can access the Maine PMP.

Do prescribers or dispensers have to pay to access the ME PMP?
No. The Maine PMP is a free service of the Maine Office of Behavioral Health.

Technical Questions

PHI and Confidentiality:
Protected health information (PHI), also referred to as personal health information, generally refers to demographic External site disclaimer information, medical histories, test and laboratory results, mental health conditions, insurance information, and other data that you and your organization collects to identify an individual and determine appropriate care.  Remember that all PHI has to be protected. 

Who can I contact for help?
ME PMP Technical Support: (Support hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

I just confirmed my ME PMP AWARxE e-mail. Why can’t I run patient searches?
Now that you’ve registered, Maine PMP must review and approve the account. This may take several days. If you have any questions or concerns about the timeline for activating your account, please contact Maine PMP at pmp@maine.gov.

I got an e-mail that I am active in ME PMP AWARxE. Why can’t I still log in?
If you are unable to log in after being notified your account is active for any reason, try resetting your password using the “Forgot Password” button on the log-in screen. Then, try logging in with your username (e-mail) and new password. If you still experience a log-in errors, please contact ME PMP AWARxE Customer Support.

I can’t register in ME PMP AWARxE because my personal DEA, personal NPI, etc. is taken. What do I do?
This means that an account may have already been registered using this data. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact ME PMP Customer Support.

Additional FAQs for ME PMP AWARxE can be found https://maine.pmpaware.net/support External site disclaimer.

Prescribers and Other Data Requesters

I’m a prescriber, pharmacist, or authorized delegate who would like to request patient reports on the PMP. How do I register?
Please review your user manual.

I was registered as a prescriber or user or delegate in RxGov. Do I need to re-register in the ME PMP AWARxE?
If you do not have an account already within ME PMP AWARxE you will need to re-register. If you are unsure if you have an existing account in ME PMP AWARxE, please contact ME PMP Customer Support.

In Maine’s PMP, can multiple delegates be associated with a single prescriber or pharmacist, and vice versa?
Yes.

I have an active license to prescribe controlled substances in Maine but I’m no longer practicing in the State. Do I need to have an account in the Maine PMP?
Yes. All actively licensed Allopathic Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, Dentists, Physician Assistants, Podiatrists, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in the State of Maine must register with the Maine PMP (22 M.R.S. § 7249(5)).

I’m retired but still have an active license to prescribe controlled substances in Maine. Do I need to have an account in the Maine PMP?
Yes. All actively licensed Allopathic Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, Dentists, Physician Assistants, Podiatrists, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in the State of Maine must register with the Maine PMP (22 M.R.S. § 7249(5)).

I’m no longer actively licensed to prescribe controlled substances in Maine. How do I notify the Maine PMP to delete my PMP account?
Please send an e-mail to PMP@maine.gov with your full name and information about your previous licensure (including board and license number). Maine PMP staff will verify your licensure status and deactivate your account after confirming that your license is no longer active.

Pharmacies and Other Data Submitters

I’m a dispenser that uploads data on dispensed controlled substances to the PMP. How can I register for Maine’s PMP? 
Please review your user manual and videos.