The Arizona Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP) is the standard of practice and best practice to ensure patients are receiving appropriate and safe medications. It has proven to be one the most promising state-level interventions to improve opioid prescribing, inform clinical practice, and protect patients at risk.

Compliance with CSPMP Laws

It is important for all prescribers to understand and comply with Arizona’s legal requirements for prescribers to utilize the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP). Arizona Revised Statutes 36-2606 requires that before prescribing an opioid analgesic or benzodiazepine controlled substance listed in Schedule II, III, or IV to a patient that prescribers shall obtain a utilization report from the CSPMP regarding the patient for the preceding twelve months at the beginning of each new course of treatment and at least quarterly while that prescription remains a part of the treatment. There are some exceptions, e.g. prescriptions for hospice patients, etc., so please refer to the statute for more information.

This law has been in effect since October 16, 2017. There is escalating attention by policymakers and regulators on the low utilization rates of the CSPMP as required by law. According to the Arizona Board of Pharmacy, more than half of prescribers who prescribed an opioid analgesic or a benzodiazepine in the prior month did not check the CSPMP. If you have not done so already, we strongly urge you to integrate routine checking of the CSPMP into your clinical practice.

• Arizona Board of Pharmacy website https://pharmacypmp.az.gov for informative videos on PMP registration and usage.
• For information about Arizona’s opioid prescribing laws, visit www.AzRxEd.org to view a free continuing medical education (CME) program for healthcare professionals that provides the latest information about Arizona’s opioid laws and regulations, prescribing guidelines, and treatment options for opioid use disorder.