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STATEMENT OF HDMA PRESIDENT AND CEO JOHN M. GRAY ON LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM INTEROPERABILITY
Legislation Would Establish Data-Sharing Standards for State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
ARLINGTON, Va., April 10, 2012 – John M. Gray, President and CEO of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), issued the following statement on the Interstate Drug Monitoring Efficiency and Data Sharing (ID MEDS) Act (H.R. 4292/S. 2254):
“Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem in this country that calls for a collaborative effort on the part of doctors, pharmacists, distributors, manufacturers and state and federal authorities to comprehensively address this epidemic. The legislation recently introduced takes an important step in the fight against prescription drug abuse and diversion by creating interoperability standards for state-run prescription drug monitoring programs. By enhancing the ability to share data across state lines, a more comprehensive approach with fewer information gaps will be employed to effectively address this growing issue. It also will improve the ability of doctors, pharmacists and law enforcement to make informed decisions and assist with investigations into prescription drug diversion — carefully balancing medical need against the potential misuse of these products. HDMA and its member companies are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to help prevent prescription drug abuse and ensure the continued safe and efficient delivery of prescription medicines and healthcare products nationwide. We commend Chairman Rogers and Congressman Wolf, as well as Senators Whitehouse and Portman for introducing this important legislation, and encourage Congress to consider it this year.”
About HDMA
HDMA is the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers. Each business day, HDMA member companies ensure that nearly nine million prescription medicines and healthcare products are delivered safely and efficiently to nearly 200,000 pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. HDMA and its members work daily to provide value and achieve cost savings, an estimated $42 billion each year to our nation’s healthcare system. |
