TDCI Launches Controlled Substance Database
NASHVILLE, Ohio [December 1, 2006]
Nashville, TN.- The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board of Pharmacy, announced today the statewide launch of the Controlled Substance Database, a tool that will identify prescribing patterns of health care professionals, dispensing patterns of Board of Pharmacy licensees, and usage patterns of Tennessee patients.
In accordance with TCA 53-10-304, the Department of Commerce and Insurance has established a program that will monitor and assist in research and statistical analysis to track controlled substance utilization patterns across the state. Such research will identify patients, prescribers, dispensers, and others who may be abusers of controlled substances so that appropriate treatment can be provided.
“The State’s new online database will provide valuable information about prescriptive practices and identify substance abusers in our health care system,” said Commissioner Paula A. Flowers. “The State will then use available tools and resources to appropriately treat these individuals.”
All pharmacists and health care practitioners who dispense Section II-V Controlled Substances will have to report that information to the database beginning December 1, 2006. Information must be submitted twice a month from the 1st through the 15th and 16th through the end of the month. After three to six months of data collection, doctors and pharmacists will have access within seconds to their patient’s utilization of controlled substances prior to prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance. The licensed professional can then determine the best treatment for the patient.
The Department of Health will use the information to track the prescribing patterns of their licensees, while the Board of Pharmacy will track the dispensing patterns of their licensees for any potential abuse. Such data will allow the agencies to develop educational programs for licensees and provide treatment options for licensees who may be abusing their professional responsibilities.
Tennessee is the 18th state to launch a major controlled substance database program.
For more information, please email controlled.substancedatabase@state.tn.us.
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