Are prescribers in Virginia required to check the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) for specific prescriptions?

In Virginia, prescribers are mandated to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) specifically for new prescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids that are intended to last longer than a 90-day supply. This requirement is part of measures developed to combat opioid misuse and to ensure that patients are not being prescribed excessive or overlapping amounts of these substances from multiple providers. By reviewing the PMP, prescribers can access vital information regarding a patient's prescription history, thereby promoting safer prescribing practices and helping to identify potential cases of abuse or dependence.

This approach reflects a targeted effort to monitor the prescribing of high-risk medications rather than an obligation to check the PMP for all prescriptions or solely for narcotics. It balances the need for provider discretion in other scenarios while focusing scrutiny on categories of medications that have been associated with higher risks of misuse. Additionally, stating that checking the PMP is optional would contradict Virginia's established regulations aimed at safeguarding public health.