[business type]
[phone number]
Page 2
[Your Name]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
As an organization with a profound interest in the health, safety and vitality of our community, we ask to you support a local Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health, safety and economic problem. The rate of opioid deaths in Missouri are almost double that of other states. The longer a patient remains on these medications the higher the probability for abuse, and the more inclined the patient is to turn to illicit drugs such as heroine. While the Governor’s executive order was a start, it doesn’t go far enough as it does not have patient history. A local PDMP and the Governor’s program can actually work together, because they are different.
Having a local PDMP is important. The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud found that a ‘doctor shopper’ can cost insurers up to $15,000 per year. Abuse of prescription painkillers also results in lost productivity, and increased healthcare and criminal justice costs. [ Type a short personal reason why a local PDMP is important to your organization].
As a leader in our community, I know you want to protect the health and safety of all of your constituents. A local PDMP would proactively alert prescribers, dispensers, law enforcement and licensing boards of persons who were addicted or diverting controlled substances.
Healthcare providers need the tools to insure patient safety remains a top priority and keep unwanted drugs off our streets. Over 60% of the state population is covered by a county level PDMP. Please consider joining with other Missouri counties and contract with St. Louis County to form a local PDMP.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Title]