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Oregon Health Authority

Frequently Asked Questions

PDMP FAQs

Oregon's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a program developed to promote public health and welfare and help improve patient care. The information will aid healthcare providers and pharmacists to better manage patients' prescriptions to improve quality of care. It will also support the appropriate use of prescription drugs.

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Data upload procedures began on June 1, 2011. This is when pharmacies were able to create accounts and begin submitting data. Healthcare providers and pharmacists can apply for accounts to access patient information from the PDMP Website.

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The data is being collected so that your provider can give you better health care.

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​The number of deaths related to poisoning in Oregon has increased five-fold since 1990. This increase is mainly due to deaths associated with controlled substance prescription drugs. From 1999 - 2008, more than 1,300 Oregonians died from prescription drug poisonings. For these reasons, Oregon Senate Bill 355 established a PDMP in Oregon when the governor signed the bill into law in July, 2009.​​

The information includes: the patient’s name, address, phone number, date of birth, sex, pharmacy and prescriber information, and specific prescription information including the drug name and dosage, when it was prescribed, and when it was dispensed. This is only for prescriptions that are classified as controlled substances Schedules II, III and IV and gabapentin.​

The Oregon PDMP collects data on Schedules II, III and IV controlled substances and gabapentin. Beginning Jan 2025, the PDMP will begin collecting schedule V drugs and veterinarian prescribed controlled substances. For a list of these medications and more information, go to https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/schedules.html​.

No. The program is not intended to prevent people from obtaining needed drugs nor is it intended to prevent healthcare providers from prescribing needed drugs to their patients.​

Retail pharmacies licensed with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy that dispense controlled substances in the state of Oregon, or to an address in the state, are required to electronically report prescription data. Neither hospital inpatient dispensing data nor data from veterinarians is collected.​

Healthcare providers and their authorized staff can access the system, but only for information regarding their own patients. Pharmacists and their authorized staff can access the system, but only for information regarding their own customers.​

Yes. A practitioner who becomes licensed with an Oregon Healthcare licensing board (Medical, Dental, Optometry, Naturopathic Medicine, and Nursing) on or after July 1, 2018, and who has an active DEA registration must register with the Program as specified in section of OAR 333-023-0825, within 30 calendar days of Oregon licensure or DEA registration, whichever is later.

No. Prescribers and pharmacists are not required to use the system. As of July 2018, all prescribers are required to register for an account with the Oregon PDMP, however use remains voluntary.​

Law enforcement agencies do not have direct access to the system. Law enforcement officials may request information from the Oregon Health Authority if they have a valid court order/search warrant based on probable cause for an authorized drug-related investigation of an individual. The Drug Enforcement Administration may submit an Administrative Subpoena inlieu of a search warrant or court order.​

Licensing boards may request information from the system, but only related to an investigation of a licensee related to licensure, renewal or disciplinary action. Medical and pharmacy directors may access the system to order to improve the operation of their respective hospital, clinic, or system. ​

The information being gathered is health information protected by Oregon law and is safeguarded in both its collection and distribution. Access to the database is limited to authenticated users who agree to terms and conditions to assure the confidentiality of patient data. Reasonable efforts are made to keep your information private and secure.​

Yes. However, this is limited to a healthcare provider sharing information with another healthcare provider who is engaged in an individual patient’s care.​

Improper access or disclosure of information should be reported in writing to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). This may be submitted by postal mail or by email to pdmp.health@odhsoha.oregon.gov. The notification should include what information you suspect was inappropriately accessed or used, when and by whom, and why the action is considered inappropriate. OHA’s Information Security Office will investigate the matter.​

Yes. To request a free copy of their report, a patient needs to fill out a record request form and mail it to the program along with a copy of a government-issued photo ID.​

Errors should be first reported to the dispensing pharmacy. Only the dispensing pharmacy is able to correct their records for resubmission to the OR PDMP. PDMP staff will assist patients, and prescribers, who need assistance in working with the dispensing pharmacy to correct a record.​

Currently all 50 states have laws that authorize the establishment and operation of a PDMP. Oregon allows prescribers in bordering states, Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada, access to the PDMP if they meet licensure criteria. Oregon also allows non-resident pharmacists with licensure from the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to dispense to Oregon access to the system.

Oregon healthcare professionals are able to access some other states PDMP systems including Washington and California. For information on the Washington PDMP please visit: http://www.wapmp.org/practitioner/pharmacist/

For information on the California PDMP please visit: https://oag.ca.gov/cures​

Healthcare providers and pharmacists pay a $35 annual fee included in their boards licensing fees. The rationale is that this will be a tool used by health care providers and pharmacists to help provide better patient care. The program is supplemented by grant funds when available and appropriate.​