Final answer:
Prescribers or their designees must consult the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when prescribing controlled substances to patients. Consulting the PDMP helps prescribers make informed decisions about prescribing controlled substances, as it provides information about a patient's medication history. There is no specific frequency or circumstances outlined for when a prescriber or their designee must consult the PDMP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prescribers or their designees must consult the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when prescribing controlled substances to patients. The PDMP is a database that tracks the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances, and it is used to identify potential misuse, abuse, or diversion of medications.
Consulting the PDMP helps prescribers make informed decisions about prescribing controlled substances, as it provides information about a patient's medication history, including any previous prescriptions for controlled substances from other providers. This can help prevent overprescribing and identify patients who may be obtaining multiple prescriptions or seeking medications from different providers.
There is no specific frequency or circumstances outlined for when a prescriber or their designee must consult the PDMP, as it can vary by state. However, it is generally recommended to consult the PDMP before initiating a new prescription for a controlled substance or when there are concerns about a patient's medication history.