New Jersey Law Toughens State PMP Requirements for Pharmacists

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently signed into law a bill that will require prescribers and pharmacists to register for the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP) and to check the database that tracks controlled substance (CS) prescriptions under certain situations. The legislation, S-1998, includes the following requirements:

• Pharmacists will be required to consult the state PMP before dispensing a Schedule II CS if they believe the patient may be seeking the prescription for any use other than medical treatment.
• Pharmacists will be required to report dispensing a CS no more than seven days after doing so.

On September 1, 2015, pharmacists will be required to report CS prescription information daily, or no more than one business day after a CS was dispensed. Pharmacists must also submit identifying information for anyone who picks up a controlled substance prescription on behalf of another patient if abuse or misuse is suspected. Under the law, prescribers must consult the PMP the first time they prescribe a Schedule II CS to a patient for acute and chronic pain, and quarterly thereafter for patients who continue to receive such medications. More information about the new law is available in a press release from the governor’s office.