Prescription Drug Monitoring (PDMP)

Data-Driven Interventions: TMA Zeroes in on Quality Opioid Care - 04/01/2024

TMA zeroes in on physicians’ obstacles to quality opioid care.

Prescription Pitfalls: Vendor Drug Program Restricts Physicians to Prescribing Certain Medications - 11/05/2023

Amid rising drug costs, Texas Medicaid’s Vendor Drug Program often restricts physicians to prescribing medications that may not be best for their patients

PMP Integration Free to Physicians - 09/18/2023

As of Sept. 1, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy offers statewide integration of the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program and NarxCare into electronic health records and pharmacy management systems for two years at no cost to physicians.

Opioids: Resources for Prescribing and Addiction Treatment - 07/20/2023

Get access to information about medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Online resources for prescribing opioids appropriately also are available.

Are You Ready for Changes to Opioid Prescribing in Texas? - 10/14/2022

Beginning Sept. 1, all prescribers will be required to set up an account with the state’s prescription monitoring program, known as PMP Aware. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy will also begin issuing new official prescription forms that include advanced security features designed to help deter fraud.

Despite Deadline, New Prescription Forms Still Not Received - 10/08/2022

Many Texas physicians are now unable to write prescriptions for certain pain medications because of ongoing problems when ordering the state’s new prescription forms. As of June 1, all Schedule II prescription forms ordered before Sept. 1, 2018, were no longer valid. However, many Texas physicians have told the Texas Medical Association they are still awaiting the new forms.

TMA Working to Stop PMP Fees - 08/04/2021

When Texas started requiring that physicians check the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP), the state appropriated funds to cover the licensing fee for the first two years. Effective Sept. 1, however, that fee is no longer covered

Update: TMB Extends Emergency Telemedicine Pain Script Waiver - 08/02/2021

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) extended until June 30 its emergency waiver permitting refills of certain controlled substance prescriptions to treat patients with chronic pain who recently saw their doctor in person or via telemedicine.

Mismatch Game: PMP Errors Could Harm Patient-Physician Relationship - 10/30/2020

Now that Texas prescribers must check a patient’s history in the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP) before prescribing opioids, plus three other drug classes, the errors are becoming more apparent.  

The PMP Requirement Begins - 08/18/2020

With EHR integration in place, physicians must check the state prescription monitoring program (PMP) prior to prescribing an opioid starting March 1.

Prescription Monitoring Program: Is Your EHR Connected? - 06/12/2020

Beginning March 1, 2020, all prescribers must set up an account with the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program, known as PMP Aware, and check the PMP prior to prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol.

How to Talk to Patients About the PMP - 02/28/2020

Michael Mackert, PhD, director of the Center for Health Communication at The University of Texas at Austin, addressed physicians’ concerns about talking to patients about the PMP, which prescribers will be required to check before issuing any prescription for opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or carisoprodol beginning March 1.  

PMP Checks Won’t Be Necessary for In-Facility Medications, TMB Says - 02/21/2020

Thanks to Texas Medical Association advocacy, the Texas Medical Boardhas refocused its guidance on when physicians will be required to check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) before prescribing certain medications starting March 1.

Update: TMB Clears Up Questions About PMP Checks for Inpatient Care - 02/21/2020

Will you be required to check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) when a patient is admitted to a hospital or emergency department? Will you be required to check PMP Aware upon admission? What if you need to prescribe those medications while the patient is in that facility? The Texas Medical Board issued guidance on those very questions this week.

Reporting System Makes Documenting PMP Checks Easy - 02/19/2020

As you probably already know, beginning March 1, you’ll be required to check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program, known as PMP Aware, any time you prescribe certain medications. To help you document those checks, PMP Aware allows you to download PDFs that you can add to a patient’s medical record.