GDAction 0913 USING.qxd
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PRESCRIPTION Continued from page 13 is providing medical or pharmaceutical care. The site contains several screens where providers must confirm that they are only searching for information they are allowed to access. Unauthorized use of the database comes with some very stiff penalties. Should a dentist or other provider knowingly and inappropriately obtain or disclose the information they obtain from the database, the law requires that the provider be punished by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine not to exceed $50,000.00, or both. Any person who knowingly obtains or attempts to obtain or discloses the electronic data under false pretenses is guilty of a felony and is required to be sentenced to not less than one year nor more than five years, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00, or both. Practitioners who have concerns over information they find in the database may not print a profile or report and then share a printed profile or report with ANYONE else, including law enforcement agencies, another health care professional, or even
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the patient involved. A practitioner should also never reveal the contents of a PDMP profile verbally or in any other fashion to another person or organization. In fact, even law enforcement agencies may only access the PDMP armed with appropriate search warrants. Dentists are encouraged to consult with their personal attorney should information uncovered in the PDMP cause the dentist to consider personnel or patient dismissal.
Concluding Thoughts Despite the restrictions the law has placed on the use of PDMP database information, the Georgia PDMP is an excellent tool for prescribers who take the time to use it in order to weed out drug abuse and misuse, and identify patients who are being under-treated by not having their prescriptions filled. If you have any questions, please contact either HID (the database company operating the Georgia PDMP) using their contact information at www.hidinc.com/ gapdmp, or send your questions to the Georgia PDMP managers at GAPDMP@ gdna.ga.gov. Thank you.
The data accessible in the PDMP includes the: • Dispensing health care provider’s DEA permit number • Dispensing date for the prescription • Prescription serial number • Status of the prescription— new or refill • National Drug Code for the dispensed drug • Quantity and strength of the dispensed drug • Number of days’ supply of the drug prescribed • Patient name, address, date of birth, and gender • Method of payment provided for prescription • Prescription NPI number • Date the prescriber issued the prescription
GDA ACTION SEPTEMBER 2013
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