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By Vilmar Trinta Negrón | Interviewed Dr. Glorymar Santiago
The proper management of controlled substances is essential to prevent abuse, dependency, and the consequences associated with their misuse. In Puerto Rico, the prescription of controlled medications is subject to a series of specific requirements that healthcare professionals must comply with to ensure patient safety and adherence to local and federal laws.
These requirements are designed to ensure the authenticity of the prescription and the legality of the prescribing process. Doctor of Pharmacy Glorymar Santiago detailed the necessary elements of a controlled substance prescription, along with some recommendations prior to prescribing.
“It is essential that all decisions related to controlled substance prescriptions be clearly and thoroughly documented. This not only ensures the traceability of the treatment but also substantiates the reasons for selecting a controlled medication. Additionally, physicians must continuously monitor the patient to evaluate treatment effectiveness and detect any signs of abuse or dependency”, the healthcare professional stressed. 
Controlled substances are medications with a high potential for abuse, which justifies their strict regulation. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a key tool in this process, allowing physicians to access a detailed history of a patient’s controlled medication prescriptions. This helps prevent abuse and ensures treatment safety.
In Puerto Rico, the PDMP is called ‘PMP AWARE’ and is managed by the Administration of Mental Health and Addiction Services (ASSMCA). This service is free and allows physicians to check the use of controlled medications in real time. Since May 2018, all pharmacies in Puerto Rico are required to report controlled medication prescriptions within no more than 48 hours. Clear documentation and continuous monitoring are essential to preventing the abuse of controlled substances and ensuring patient health and well-being,"* Santiago explained.
Healthcare professionals can register at: https://puertorico.pmpaware.net. For more information on required documents or to address any questions, they can email: pdmp@assmca.pr.gov or contact the program administrators at the following numbers: 787-763-7575, Ext. 1128, 1216, 1199 or 1-800-981-0023.
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