The number of Controlled Substances Monitoring Program (CSMP) users in West Virginia has more than quadrupled in the last four years and utilization of the Program continues to grow, according to data released by the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. The Board releases data relating to its CSMP annually.
The total number of controlled substance doses West Virginia patients received this year was 31.2 million less than in 2017, reflecting the second consecutive year with over a 1 million dose decrease.
The powerful opioid hydrocodone has shown the sharpest decline, with a 26% reduction from last year and a 62% reduction over the last seven years.
The CSMP recently began collecting data for Schedule V products, which included drugs like gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).
The Board shares prescription data with the border states Ohio, Virginia, Maryland Kentucky and Pennsylvania in addition to 21 other states and the District of Columbia.
The Board’s CSMP Advisory and Database Review Committee meets regularly, and continues to monitor and assess Prescription Monitoring Program in order to proactively address potential drug diversion activities and to find ways to reduce the State’s drug overdose problem.
In 2017, West Virginia drug overdose deaths were a record high at 1,202 with heroin and fentanyl continuing to be the most commonly involved drugs in those deaths.
CSMP epidemiologists and data analysts are creating and maintaining numerous data maps and analyses to help identify potential issues with controlled substance prescribing and patient activity in West Virginia.
A new version of the CSMP was completed this year, which includes new functionality, easier access and enhanced data analytics.
The Board of Pharmacy has obtained a federal grant to provide CSMP data integrated into the workflow of pharmacists and prescribers through their electronic medical record and pharmacy record systems.
The CSMP is a central repository, maintained by the Board of Pharmacy for collected data related to the prescription and dispensing of all Schedule II, III and IV controlled substances.
