Optimum Technology statement before Arkansas State Senate highlights background of statewide prescription monitoring programs, continuing need for their implementation

COLUMBUS, Ohio [February 22, 2005]
On February 22, 2005, Optimum's Director of Business Development Ron Hatfield appeared before the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee of the Arkansas State Senate to provide a statement regarding Senate Bill 119 to establish a prescription monitoring program for the State of Arkansas.

The statement highlighted the history and background of statewide prescription monitoring programs, focusing on development and implementation of electronic or computerized programs.

Hatfield cited information presented in the 2004 National Drug Control Strategy document that the abuse of prescription pharmaceuticals has become the second leading category of illicit drug use, following only marijuana. Of particular concern is the fact that more than 75% of first-time abusers of prescription narcotic analgesics were of high school and college age.

The statement highlighted that while there are approximately 25 states which have existing programs or are in the process of implementing programs, legislation to expand the number of PMPs has met with opposition. Concerns may be grouped into three areas: potential for additional work being placed on already overworked pharmacists; medical practitioner concerns re "big brother"; and general privacy and confidentiality concerns. The statement emphasized that while these are valid concerns, a properly planned and implemented prescription monitoring program can readily address these issues and provide meaningful fulfillment of the ultimate objective of all prescription monitoring programs: reducing the incidence of diversion of legal pharmaceutical controlled substances while promoting their appropriate use for patient care.

The statement closed with Hatfield recounting experiences from his career as a state prosecutor to emphasize how existence of statewide prescription monitoring programs might have had positive impact on the lives of his associates and their families.

Mr. Hatfield's statement was made at the request of the sponsor of the legislation, Arkansas State Senator Jack Critcher. Hatfield has nearly ten years' experience as a prosecutor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and for the past several years has focused on ways to help public health and regulatory enforcement agencies fight wrongdoing and reduce fraud by eliminating barriers to information sharing.

About Optimum Technology
Optimum Technology provides software solutions that help law and regulatory enforcement agencies fight crime and eliminate fraud by removing barriers to information sharing, improving data reliability and timeliness, and aiding collaborative investigation. The company's solutions are helping over 500 agencies across the country protect and serve more than 17 million citizens.

For more information about Optimum Technology, call 614.785.1110 or visit www.otech.com.