December 11, 2018
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Patrick Allen issued the following statement today, following the release of the
Oregon Secretary of State’s audit on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
"We want to thank the Secretary of State’s audit team for their recommendations on how to improve the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, one of Oregon’s key strategies to protect patient safety in health care. The PDMP tracks prescriptions of controlled substances such as oxycodone to help clinicians make safe prescribing decisions and detect problems.
"Oregon has seen a steady decline in prescription opioid-related deaths and opioid prescribing in recent years, thanks to the PDMP and other initiatives aimed at reducing opioid overdose and death. About 93 percent of Oregon’s top prescribers of controlled substances are registered, and queries on the PDMP have quadrupled since 2012.
"We agree with the auditors’ recommendations and many align with work already ongoing at OHA. Other recommendations require legislative action, and we look forward to advising the Legislature on these policy ideas."
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