Acting U.S. Attorney Dambruch Applauds Enactment of Legislation Allowing Improved Access to PDMP Data

PROVIDENCE – Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch today applauded the passage and enactment of legislation in Rhode Island that will permit a limited number of qualified federal law enforcement agencies and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit to receive information through the Rhode Island Department of Health from the Department of Health’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). 

The PDMP is an electronic database maintained by the Rhode Island Department of Health that catalogs data concerning prescriptions written and filled, including the drug and quantity prescribed.  The stated purposes of the PDMP include “help[ing] detect overprescribing, and diversion or fraud related to prescription of controlled substances.” 

The legislation signed into law by the Governor on Wednesday, permits the Department of Health to provide certain requested information from the PDMP to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit. This legislation brings Rhode Island into line with almost thirty other states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, where PDMP information has long been readily available to law enforcement.

 Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch commented, “The PDMP is an important tool in combating the opioid crisis; PDMP data will assist investigators with identifying, investigating and apprehending individuals or providers engaged in the unlawful diversion of prescription opiates.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Dambruch added, “Thousands of Rhode Islanders are being impacted by the scourge of drug addiction and a wave of drug overdose deaths that continues to sweep through our state and nation. Hundreds of our relatives, our friends, our neighbors are dying each year from this disease. Thousands more have been or are being treated. Countless more are in need of treatment. Better access to PDMP data is an important addition to the investigative tool box used to hold those accountable who knowingly and illegally make opioid prescription drugs readily available for abuse.”

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