What Is a PDMP?
As of September 2017, each state — as well as Washington, D.C. — has established its own Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP): a statewide database of controlled substance dispenses. PDMPs exist to prevent overprescribing of controlled medications, particularly opioid pain medications, and to prevent diversion of controlled substances. By collecting dispense data in one place, they allow prescribers and dispensers to see a patient’s controlled substance history before prescribing or dispensing more.
Who Must Report
All dispensers of DEA- or state-designated controlled substances — including practitioners who dispense controlled substances — must report those dispenses to their state’s prescription drug monitoring program so that other prescribers and dispensers may access the information. In other words, a physician’s office that dispenses a controlled medication carries the same PDMP reporting obligation as a pharmacy. If you plan to dispense any controlled items at your practice, PDMP reporting is not optional.
Zero-Fill Reports
Reporting obligations do not necessarily pause on days when you dispense nothing. Many states require “zero-fill” reports — an affirmative report that no reportable dispenses occurred — from registered dispensers. PharmaLink’s software submits zero-fill reports on behalf of accounts where states require them, so a quiet day at the clinic never becomes a compliance gap.
Manual Reporting vs. Automatic Reporting
Historically, reporting to PDMP systems was a manual process — and it is one of the main reasons more physicians did not dispense. Someone on staff had to compile each controlled dispense and submit it to the state system, on the state’s schedule and in the state’s format.
Today, PharmaLink’s web-based software makes it quick and easy. During each dispense of a controlled item, the system automatically prompts for all required PDMP information, so nothing is missed at the point of care. The software then submits PDMP reports automatically in all states where PharmaLink currently operates. There is no separate reporting workflow, no export files, and no deadline tracking — reporting happens as a byproduct of dispensing, which itself takes only 15-30 seconds.
What This Means Day to Day
For your staff, PDMP compliance with PharmaLink looks like this:
- During the dispense: the software prompts for any required data the moment a controlled item is selected.
- After the dispense: the report is submitted to your state’s PDMP automatically — no additional action needed.
- On days with no controlled dispenses: zero-fill reports are filed on your behalf where your state requires them.
Because requirements differ from state to state, we do recommend familiarizing yourself with your own state’s rules. Our Dispensing Regulations page is a good starting point, and PDMP reporting is one of the compliance areas we walk through with every new account during setup — which takes as little as 3 business days once your application is complete.
Questions About PDMP Reporting?
For more information about your state’s PDMP requirements, or to find out whether PharmaLink offers reporting in your state, please contact us and a representative will get back to you shortly. You can also learn more about the rest of the compliance picture on our Medication Storage Requirements and Medication Labeling Requirements pages.