Document 6524729

To:
From: American Pain Foundation
2011-06-23 14:09:35 (GMT)
Page I of 3
Mayssa Sultan, MPA, L.Ac.
State Policy Specialist
msultan@painfoundation.org
Phone (410)591-8478
Fax (410)385-1832
201 N.Charles Street, Suite 710
Baltimore, MD 21201
www.~ainfamdatim.erg
FAX COVER SHEET
TO:
Representative Gene DiGirolamo
FAX #:
(717)772-2414
DATE:
June 23,2011
FROM:
Mayssa Sultan
# OF PAGES (imcluding cover sheet):
SUBTECT:
3 pages
RE: H B 1651 HEARING THIS MORNING
Please accept these comments from the American Pain Foundation in response to HB 1651.
Thank you,
Mayssa
The American Pain F'uundution educates, supports and advocates for people affected by pain.
To:
Page2of3
201 4-06-23 14:09:35 (GMT)
From: American Pain Foundation
June 22,201 1
Board of Directors
Chalr and Presldent
Scott M. Fishman, IMO
Univerdy of CaEfon~iaat Davis Medical Center
Vice-Chair
Mary Vurgas. Esq.
Pain Commu~utyAdukoty Council
Secretary
Aaron M. Gilson, MS, MSSW, PhD
Pahi & Poky Studies Group
Treasurer
Makne Smith Davis, MBA, MSN, RA(, GHPM
Capital Hospice
Board Lialsan
Ann O'Mara. RN, PhD
National Cancer Instilute
James R. Bolynack
W R /Findlay
~
Gelkries lntemationa[ /nc.
Maggie Buckley
EhkrsDanlos National Foundation
Myra Christopher
Center for fmciicrl Bkethics
Lany C. Driver, MD
U. I M ,D. Andersofi Cancer Center
Peny G. Fine. MD
Universify af Utah School of Medicine
Rolin 44. Gallagher. MD. MPH
Philadebhi8 Vefarans Affairs Medicd Genter
Debra 8. Gordon, RN-BC, MS, ACNS-BC, FA.AN
Chairperson Gene DiGirolamo
49 East Wing
PO Box 202018
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2018
Re: House Bill (HB) 1651
Dear Chairperson DiGirolamo,
APF is the country's largest pain advocacy organization dedicated to
educating, supporting and advocating for people affected by pain. We appreciate
that with your sponsorship Pennsylvania is moving towards having a
Pharmaceutical Accountability Monitoring Program (PAMS) through HB 1651.
APF is committed to the principle of balance which includes the need to address
both the undertreatment of pain and the problem of prescription drug abuse in
ways that reduce abuse and diversion without diminishing access to pain care.
When prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) are introduced through
legislation, they should support positive prescription monitoring strategies that
minimize the impact on legitimate prescribing and oppose strategies that
negatively impact those individuals with pain who require controlled substances
for legitimate medical use.
APF has a couple of concerns with the current legislation we would like to share
with you.
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clnics
Michael J. Hanewich
SV5/Sikcot1Vallay B.?t~k
Malcoh P. Herman, Esq.
APF Pain CommunityAdwsoty Council
Russell Portenoy, IWD
Beth IsraelMedic~lCetlter
Cindy Sfeinberr~
APF PBin Conimm'iy Advisoy Council
Lisa D. Weiss, MPH
Coont.y Wetem Gmup
Lonnie K ZeItzer. MD
David GeffenSchool of Medidne
University of CaHomie at Los h g e b s
Chalr Ernerltus
James Ff. Campbell, M.D.
1. In section 270qc) - it would be better if the bill stated explicitly that the
PAMS could provide unsolicited reports to prescribers and dispensers
allowing for information sharing, and possibly alerting, practitioners and
dispensers to problems they may not otherwise see.
2. In section 2706(6)(i) it does not explicitly state that a subpoena or search
warrant obtained with probable cause is necessary for law enforcement to
have access to these records. This is standard in many PMPs as it protects
patient privacy.
3. In section 2708(a)(2) a pain management group should also be included
here in the development of continuing education coursework on
prescribing practices, pharmacology and such.
-
-
4. In section
2709. there
should be a statement which provides immunity to
..
.
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Page 3 of 3
From: American Pain Foundatjon
When PMPs are carefully planned and thoughtfully launched, they have the potential to provide
individual health care providers "real time" access to data about their patients that enables providers to
evaluate the overall use of controlled substances and monitor for safety while protecting patient
confidentiality.
ll
We hope that you will take these issues into consideration at the hearing for HI3 1651 on Thursday, June
23,201 1. APF hopes that a prescriber education program that reinforces the value of this PMP is in the
works to increase the clinical usefulness of this tool. Additionally, APF encourages legislators to fund
outcomes research to validate the impact of this PMP on the desired objectives.
Thank you for your attention to these issues,
Sincerely,
A
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7 d--
Will Rowe, CEO
American Pain Foundation