On Thursday,
HHS Secretary Alex Azar held a listening session with state officials who
work on prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) in the District of
Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Secretary
was joined by Acting CDC Director Anne Schuchat and staff from other
parts of HHS, including CDC and the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health IT.
The gathering
follows President Trump’s Monday announcement in New Hampshire of the
administration’s new opioid addiction initiative, as well as travel and
meetings by top HHS officials in seven states this week.
Participants
discussed ways in which their states have developed and enhanced PDMPs,
including efforts to make programs interoperable between states, raise
rates of provider and prescriber participation, and make the best use
possible of data generated. A number of participants individually shared
the importance of combating stigma surrounding addiction, an issue
Secretary Azar has made a priority.
Secretary
Azar noted that PDMPs are an important part of ensuring the appropriate
prescribing and use of legal opioids, a key piece of the three-point
administration opioids strategy unveiled on Monday, which covers
addiction prevention, supply interdiction, and treatment provision. The
strategy proposes a nationally interoperable PDMP network, building on
work HHS already does to promote and support PDMPs, including through
CDC’s Prevention For States grant program.
Secretary
Azar thanked the participants for their valuable insights and tireless
work in confronting the challenge of opioid addiction. He emphasized
President Trump’s personal commitment to taking bold action against the
crisis, and emphasized that the federal government will continue to
engage with state officials and support their work.
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