What is PDMP and How SiCompounding Helps You Stay Compliant

In the world of controlled substances, tracking every prescription isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal requirement. That’s where PDMPs come in.

What is PDMP?

PDMP stands for Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. It is a state-run electronic database which tracks the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances, primarily to combat misuse, abuse, and diversion, especially with opioids.

Every U.S. state has its own PDMP. Licensed pharmacies are required to report certain data regularly, often daily or in real time.

Why Was PDMP Created?

PDMPs have been around in some form since the 1930s, but they evolved significantly in the early 2000s as the opioid epidemic worsened. Key legislative acts that supported their development include:

• Harold Rogers PDMP Grant Program (2002)
• NASPER Act (2005)
• SUPPORT Act (2018)

These efforts aimed to make prescription tracking more accurate and consistent across the country.

How Does PDMP Work?

PDMP relies on three main components:

1. Data Collection

Pharmacies and dispensing practitioners must report:

• Patient demographics
• Prescriber and pharmacy info
• Drug name, quantity, and dispense date

2. Access

• Prescribers and pharmacists use PDMPs to check patients’ controlled substance histories.
• Medical boards, law enforcement, and health departments may also access under regulation.

3. Integration

PDMPs now commonly integrate with:

• EHRs (Electronic Health Records)
• Pharmacy management systems like SiCompounding

How is PDMP Data Shared?

Once a prescription is dispensed, pharmacies report to the state using the ASAP standard, a universal format created by the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP).

Data is securely transmitted via SFTP and can include:

• Hostname/IP
• Port
• Directory
• Username/password

What is ASAP?

ASAP defines how PDMP data is structured. Key facts:

• Current version: ASAP 5.0
• Reports are due daily, with support for real-time reporting
• Supports both zero and dispensed drug reporting
• Accepted file types: .TXT and .DAT
• Segmented fields include transaction headers, patient info, dispensing records, etc.

What You Can Configure with PDMP in SiCompounding

SiCompounding includes a dedicated PDMP configuration area, allowing your pharmacy to meet the exact reporting requirements for each state you operate in.

For every state, you can:

• Select the appropriate ASAP version (including 4.1 through 5.0)
• Define your reporting platform, whether it’s PMP Clearinghouse, RxGov, or a state-specific site
• Choose the correct file type (.TXT or .DAT) for submissions
• Set rules for zero reporting when no controlled substances are dispensed
• Mark exemptions for certain prescriptions or scenarios
• Control how and when prescriptions are reported based on your workflow
• Assign dispensing authority for state compliance

These options give your pharmacy the flexibility to comply with state-specific PDMP regulations without needing external tools or custom workarounds.

PDMP Integrations Made Easy and Automatically

SiCompounding supports direct integration with the two most widely used PDMP reporting platforms:

• Bamboo Health / PMP Clearinghouse – used by over 40 states
• RxGov / NIC / State-specific systems
  

Within the platform, you can securely connect to these services by entering your reporting credentials, such as SFTP access details. Once configured, SiCompounding handles the transmission of your PDMP data in the correct format, without needing to leave the system, manage multiple tools, or manually upload the data.

You also have full control over your reporting rules on a state-by-state basis, so your setup matches exactly what’s required where you operate.

Note: While SiCompounding handles the file preparation and submission process, the platform does not currently validate FTP connection status during setup, so it’s recommended to verify credentials before saving.

Final Thoughts: Simple, Reliable PDMP Reporting

Pharmacies today need more than just software, they need tools that keep them compliant, efficient, and audit-ready. With SiCompounding, PDMP setup is built directly into your workflow. From ASAP formatting to FTP integration and per-state configuration, the platform gives you everything you need to meet reporting requirements without jumping between systems.

Ready to See It Live?

Want to experience firsthand how SiCompounding simplifies PDMP reporting? Schedule a Demo or reach out to talk with our team to get started.

Note:

This article is based on recent product training and documentation. Feature availability may vary depending on your pharmacy’s state setup or integration preferences.