Promoting consistent use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) in outpatient pharmacies: Removing administrative barriers and increasing awareness of Rx drug abuse.
BACKGROUND
Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are proving to be valuable resources in fighting the prescription drug abuse epidemic through improved access to patient drug histories. Ninety-four percent of Indiana pharmacists have heard of Indiana's PDMP (INSPECT), only 71% of them reported using the program in 2012.


OBJECTIVE
To identify barriers to PDMP use in outpatient pharmacies and determine the impact these barriers have on utilization.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study examined pharmacists' knowledge and use of INSPECT. Bivariate analyses on utilization and perceived barriers were conducted using cross-tabulations and chi-squared tests. Multiple logistic regression examined the relationship between pharmacists' level of concern with prescription drug abuse and reported utilization.


RESULTS
Pharmacists were significantly less likely to use INSPECT if they reported at least one barrier and 3 times more likely to use INSPECT if they reported no barrier. Pharmacists were 10 times more likely to use INSPECT and 18 times more likely to use it more consistently if they were extremely concerned about prescription drug abuse in their community as compared to those not at all concerned.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to improve utilization of PDMPs should look for innovative ways to limit barriers and build outpatient pharmacists' awareness of prescription drug abuse and misuse within their community.
Indiana University, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 714 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Center for Health Policy, Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 714 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Health Workforce Studies, Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1110 W. Michigan St., Long Hall 200, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address: cwnorwoo@iupui.edu.
Connor W
CW
Norwood
Indiana University, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, 714 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Center for Health Policy, Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 714 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Georgia State University, Department of Sociology, 38 Peachtree Center Ave. SE, Langdale Hall Suite 1061, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Eric R
ER
Wright
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010594:Pharmacies; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
D055553:Prescription Drugs
Barriers; Outpatient pharmacists; Outpatient pharmacy; PDMP; Pharmacists; Pharmacy practice; Prescription drug abuse; Prescription drug monitoring program