To: From: American Pain Foundation 2011-06-23 14:09:35 (GMT) Page I of 3 Mayssa Sultan, MPA, L.Ac. State Policy Specialist [email protected] Phone (410)591-8478 Fax (410)385-1832 201 N.Charles Street, Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21201 www.~ainfamdatim.erg FAX COVER SHEET TO: Representative Gene DiGirolamo FAX #: (717)772-2414 DATE: June 23,2011 FROM: Mayssa Sultan # OF PAGES (imcluding cover sheet): SUBTECT: 3 pages RE: H B 1651 HEARING THIS MORNING Please accept these comments from the American Pain Foundation in response to HB 1651. Thank you, Mayssa The American Pain F'uundution educates, supports and advocates for people affected by pain. To: Page2of3 201 4-06-23 14:09:35 (GMT) From: American Pain Foundation June 22,201 1 Board of Directors Chalr and Presldent Scott M. Fishman, IMO Univerdy of CaEfon~iaat Davis Medical Center Vice-Chair Mary Vurgas. Esq. Pain Commu~utyAdukoty Council Secretary Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD Pahi & Poky Studies Group Treasurer Makne Smith Davis, MBA, MSN, RA(, GHPM Capital Hospice Board Lialsan Ann O'Mara. RN, PhD National Cancer Instilute James R. Bolynack W R /Findlay ~ Gelkries lntemationa[ /nc. Maggie Buckley EhkrsDanlos National Foundation Myra Christopher Center for fmciicrl Bkethics Lany C. Driver, MD U. I M ,D. Andersofi Cancer Center Peny G. Fine. MD Universify af Utah School of Medicine Rolin 44. Gallagher. MD. MPH Philadebhi8 Vefarans Affairs Medicd Genter Debra 8. Gordon, RN-BC, MS, ACNS-BC, FA.AN Chairperson Gene DiGirolamo 49 East Wing PO Box 202018 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2018 Re: House Bill (HB) 1651 Dear Chairperson DiGirolamo, APF is the country's largest pain advocacy organization dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for people affected by pain. We appreciate that with your sponsorship Pennsylvania is moving towards having a Pharmaceutical Accountability Monitoring Program (PAMS) through HB 1651. APF is committed to the principle of balance which includes the need to address both the undertreatment of pain and the problem of prescription drug abuse in ways that reduce abuse and diversion without diminishing access to pain care. When prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) are introduced through legislation, they should support positive prescription monitoring strategies that minimize the impact on legitimate prescribing and oppose strategies that negatively impact those individuals with pain who require controlled substances for legitimate medical use. APF has a couple of concerns with the current legislation we would like to share with you. University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clnics Michael J. Hanewich SV5/Sikcot1Vallay B.?t~k Malcoh P. Herman, Esq. APF Pain CommunityAdwsoty Council Russell Portenoy, IWD Beth IsraelMedic~lCetlter Cindy Sfeinberr~ APF PBin Conimm'iy Advisoy Council Lisa D. Weiss, MPH Coont.y Wetem Gmup Lonnie K ZeItzer. MD David GeffenSchool of Medidne University of CaHomie at Los h g e b s Chalr Ernerltus James Ff. Campbell, M.D. 1. In section 270qc) - it would be better if the bill stated explicitly that the PAMS could provide unsolicited reports to prescribers and dispensers allowing for information sharing, and possibly alerting, practitioners and dispensers to problems they may not otherwise see. 2. In section 2706(6)(i) it does not explicitly state that a subpoena or search warrant obtained with probable cause is necessary for law enforcement to have access to these records. This is standard in many PMPs as it protects patient privacy. 3. In section 2708(a)(2) a pain management group should also be included here in the development of continuing education coursework on prescribing practices, pharmacology and such. - - 4. In section 2709. there should be a statement which provides immunity to .. . To: 201 1-06-23 14:09:35 (GMT) Page 3 of 3 From: American Pain Foundatjon When PMPs are carefully planned and thoughtfully launched, they have the potential to provide individual health care providers "real time" access to data about their patients that enables providers to evaluate the overall use of controlled substances and monitor for safety while protecting patient confidentiality. ll We hope that you will take these issues into consideration at the hearing for HI3 1651 on Thursday, June 23,201 1. APF hopes that a prescriber education program that reinforces the value of this PMP is in the works to increase the clinical usefulness of this tool. Additionally, APF encourages legislators to fund outcomes research to validate the impact of this PMP on the desired objectives. Thank you for your attention to these issues, Sincerely, A - 7 d-- Will Rowe, CEO American Pain Foundation