MAPS Policy Leads To Drop In Controlled Substances Dispensed In Michigan
By JESSE ADAM MARKOS, ESQ.
Wachler & Associates, P.C.
Required registration and use of the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) has proven helpful in decreasing the amount of controlled substances dispensed in Michigan. Beginning last year, physicians in Michigan are required to register with MAPS and review MAPS patient-specific data before prescribing or dispensing a Schedule 2-5 controlled substance to a patient in a quantity that exceeds a three-day supply. These requirements, combined with other efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, have led to a dramatic decrease in the amounts of controlled substances dispensed in Michigan.
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) publicly releases the dispensing and prescribing data collected by MAPS in their annual Drug Utilization Report. The most recent findings from last year confirm that MAPS has proven remarkably effective in reducing the amount of controlled substances dispensed in Michigan. For example, compared to 2015, opioid prescriptions dispensed fell by 24 percent while the overall number of schedule 2-5 controlled substance prescriptions decreased by 18 percent. Moreover, a review of the data shows a sizeable reduction in the dispensing of seven of the most commonly abused controlled substances. For example, compared to 2015, the dispensing of Alprazolam 2 mg has decreased by 50 percent, Alprazolam 1 mg by 33 percent, Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 10 mg by 33 percent, Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 7.5 mg by 38 percent, Carisoprodol 350 mg by 63 percent, Oxycodone 30 mg by 43 percent, and Promethazine with Codeine by 62 percent.
These decreases can be attributed, in large part, to the increase in registration and usage of MAPS by health care providers in Michigan. Pursuant to Public Acts 248 and 249 of 2018, prescribers of schedule 2-5 controlled substances are now required to be registered with MAPS. Additionally, all prescribers are required to check MAPS before prescribing a controlled substance in a quantity that exceeds a 3-day supply. In addition, prescribers are now required to counsel patients on the risks of opioids before prescribing them and to complete an informative “Start Talking” form when prescribing controlled substances.
MAPS utilizes a user-friendly portal, making it more efficient for providers to obtain information regarding schedule 2-5 drugs dispensed to patients. Prescribers include dentists, physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, veterinarians, physician’s assistants with practice agreements and advanced practice registered nurses under delegation. By using MAPS, these prescribers can obtain information such as patient specific reports that include the patient’s prescription history, recent request history, total opioid morphine milligram equivalents (MME), the location of the pharmacies used by the patient to fill each prescription, and even relevant interstate data.
MAPS is one of the most effective tools being used to address the opioid epidemic. The information it makes available is used to prevent diversion and abuse by patients, to help ensure that medications remain available to those who need them, and to educate health professionals while identifying over-prescribers. For additional information or assistance regarding MAPS usage requirements, or any other health professional licensing issue, contact Jesse A. Markos, Esq., at Wachler & Associates at (248) 544-0888.