SOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER:
- Changing compromised DEA/DPS numbers:
- DEA number is easily changed utilizing their form available on-line.
- DPS number is a little harder/time-consuming. One must first have a DPS number to get C2 prescription pads and to prescribe any controlled substances in the State of Texas. This could take weeks of practice disruption and legitimate chronic pain patient’s suffering.
- Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substance (EPCS) technology is in its infancy and not yet ready for “Prime Time” in Texas, as only the large chain pharmacies are beginning to use it. Other states already mandate either EPCS or serialized prescription pads for all controlled substances. Although EPCS is legal in Texas, this message needs to be better disseminated within the medical community and utilized by more pharmacies.
- Serialized and Bar-Coded Prescription Pads like current C2 Rx pads for ALL controlled substances, including schedules 2-5, will certainly limit fraudulent filling of prescriptions; however, this means more record-keeping, log books and a “wet” signature. It also means that prescriptions for controlled substances may not be telephoned into pharmacies, an approach which may increase after hours ER visits. However, a work around has been proposed which would allow for a limited number of C3-5 medications to be permitted to be called in to allow for emergency and weekend circumstances. These small quantities would likely be of little interest to criminals.
- PATx Web Site Access Expansion and Website Overhaul: Currently, DPS Rules state that only “licensed” providers can access it. Medical assistants and supervising office staff would not be able to access the website. It is currently illegal to have your administrative or non-licensed staff log on and check patients’ or providers’ profiles. The site is quite difficult to navigate, its cumbersome and time consuming, especially in large volume practices. Pharmacies are pressed for revenue and often not able or willing to check it as well. Accurately checking one’s own profile for a given period is meaningless unless several months are reviewed and re-reviewed each time the profile is pulled. Funding for DPS is needed to change the program and to fix this issue.
- “Legislation to protect Physician “Prescriptive Identity Theft” Victims from Criminal and Civil Liability.
- AMA/TMA Official Recommendations On How to Handle “Prescriptive Identity Theft.”
- Private Identity Protection Industry Support TMA/AMA should consider reaching out to private businesses that protect personal identification to add additional service lines for “Prescriptive Identity Protection.”
