WA Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – For DOH Staff
WA PMP Website (statute & rules):
What will the program do?
Washington’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) improves public health and provides better patient care. Practitioners will have access to patient information before they prescribe or dispense drugs. The information provided will allow a practitioner to look for duplicate prescribing, possible misuse, drug interactions, and other potential concerns. By having this information available before prescribing or dispensing, practitioners can provide improved care to their patients.
When will the Washington PMP system start?
Dispensersmust begin submitting data October 7, 2011. Practitioners and other authorized users will be able to access the data beginning January 2012.
What prescription information is collected?
Information will include: the patient’s name, address, and date of birth, pharmacy and prescriber information, and specific prescription information. Prescription information includes the drug name and dosage, and the prescribing and dispensing dates.
Which drugs does the Washington PMP monitor?
The Washington DMP collects data on Schedules II, III, IV andV controlled substances. For a list of these medications and more information, go to
Who is required to report data to the WashingtonPMP?
Law requires licensed pharmacies and practitioners that dispense controlled substances in the state of Washington, or to an address in the state, to electronically report prescription data. The program does not collect hospital inpatient dispensing data or data from the administration of a controlled substance.
How does a dispenser submit the required data to the PMP?
- Logon to the WA PMP website ( and read theDispenser Implementation Guide (select the WA PMP Data Uploader link from the menu on the left).
- Create an account for submitting data to the program.
- Begin working as soon as possible with your pharmacy software vendor to make necessary updates and begin testing with our PMP vendor in order to be ready to begin data submission on 10/7/2011.
Who can access information in the system?
The following groups can access the information under PMP law and rule:
- Persons authorized to prescribe or dispense controlled substances to provide medical or pharmaceutical care for their patients;
- An individual who requests their own prescription monitoring information;
- Health professional licensing, certification, or regulatory agency or entity;
- Local, state, and federal law enforcement or prosecutorial officials engaged in an investigation involving a designated person;
- Medical examiners and coroners for cause of death determination;
- Authorized practitioners of the Department of Social and Health Services or the Health Care Authority regarding medicaid program recipients;
- The director or director's designee within the Department of Labor and Industries for workers' compensation claimants;
- The director or the director's designee within the Department of Corrections for offenders committed to the Department of Corrections;
- Other entities under grand jury subpoena or court order; and
- Personnel of the department for purposes of administration and enforcement of this rule or chapter 69.50 RCW.
How do I get further technical or policy related assistance?
Health Information Designs, Inc. (HID) hosts the WA PMP. It is a nationally-recognized leader in the PMP and healthcare automation solutions and services industry. If you need any technical assistance as you prepare to begin data submission, please call HID’s WA PMP Helpdesk at 866.205.1222, or send an e-mail to .
If you have policy related questions please contact the WA PMP Director, Chris Baumgartner at 360.236.4806, or at