The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) bill, designed to coordinate a prescription monitoring program in all 50 states, has received preliminary funding to begin implementation.
The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2009, recently signed into law, includes $2 million to launch NASPER.
NASPER was proposed by the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) to protect patients and physicians from the effects of controlled substance misuse, abuse and trafficking while maintaining patient access with quality care.
"The abuse of prescription drugs continues to be a problem that plagues millions of Americans and their families every day," said Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.). "NASPER is a powerful weapon in the fight against prescription drug abuse that will allow physicians to detect abuse and prevent the practice of doctor shopping across state lines. I am pleased that NASPER has, at long last, received the funding that it needs to be implemented and start saving lives.
NASPER was signed into law on Aug. 11, 2005, by President George W. Bush, and was slated to receive $52 million, to be appropriated over a five year period. Since 2005, ASIPP has worked to gain the authorization and necessary appropriations to begin implementation. There are currently 38 states that fund their own prescription monitoring programs based on requirements originally set by NASPER.
"This appropriation of funding will finally make it possible for states to implement NASPER," said ASIPP President David Schultz. "And for states like my state of Minnesota that have already succeeded in implementing the program, the funding will further the capabilities by bringing uniformity to existing and all future programs."
With NASPER's support, states can now save money by funding these programs with a federal grant as well as create a universal monitoring program, said officials.
"The initial $2 million is an encouraging start that will allow individual states to put NASPER into motion. However, in order to realize NASPER's full potential, it is imperative to secure full funding," said Laxmaiah Manchikanti, ASIPP's CEO and chairman of the board. "ASIPP will work tirelessly to see that funding not only continues in 2010, but that it is funded for the full authorized amount of $10 million for that fiscal year."
"Congress passed NASPER because we understand that, in addition to putting drug dealers behind bars, we must ensure that physicians, pharmacists and public health officials have the resources they need to identify and stop drug addiction before it begins," added Rep. Burt Stupak (D-Mich.). "Nearly four years after Congress created NASPER, I am pleased we finally have the funding to begin implementing this important program.”
