I heard that there is a new law regarding controlled prescriptions. How does it affect me?

MANDATORY PDMP QUERY: Mandatory query is now in effect in the District of Columbia. DC Law 23-251. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Query and Omnibus Health Amendments Act of 2020 became effective on March 16, 2021. The law requires prescribers and dispensers to query the PDMP:

• Prior to prescribing or dispensing an opioid or benzodiazepine for more than seven consecutive days, and

• Every ninety days thereafter while the course of treatment or therapy continues, or

• Prior to dispensing another refill after ninety days.

What is the PDMP?

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) aims to improve the District’s ability to identify and reduce diversion of prescription drugs in an efficient and cost effective manner that will not impede the appropriate medical utilization of controlled substances. The PDMP also aims to enhance patient care by providing prescription monitoring information that will assure legitimate use of controlled substances in health care, including palliative care, research and other medical and pharmacological uses.

Why do I have to have an appointment?

In order to have the time to appropriately review the medication and ensure safe prescribing, we feel that an appointment is the best setting in which to perform this medical assessment.

What if there’s an emergency?

Each person’s circumstances are different and unexpected events arise. If you are using an ongoing prescription, setting your refill appointments in advance will greatly decrease the risk of your prescription running out while your physician is out of town or unable to accommodate an urgent request. If a covering physician is willing to prescribe a medication for you, that physician may reserve the right to request an appointment, because they are assuming responsibility for your safety when they write a prescription.

I use a prescription for anxiety related to travel, and I fly 4-5 times per year. Do I have to make an appointment prior to each trip?

You do not specifically need an appointment prior to travel, although there may be other travel-adjacent concerns like vaccinations which may warrant a dedicated visit. If your current supply of medication is sufficient to last for several months, you can expect to have a medication surveillance appointment at the time you request a refill if it has been longer than 90 days since your last prescription was written. Your doctor may choose to combine this with another appointment cycle like your annual physical appointment.