Beginning today, May 1st 2019, Santa Monica Primary Care is making formal changes to the process by which we prescribe and refill controlled substances. This is done in conjunction with the national conversation that is ongoing regarding controlled substance usage and, in particular, the opiate epidemic in the United States. Those patients affected should have already received a letter outlining these changes. Medications affected are outlined in the following link: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling

As you may be aware, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State of California certified and have mandated the use of a statewide database called CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) since October 2018. We had been using this system for some time even before its certification as we transitioned to exclusive use of electronic prescribing (E-prescribe) for all prescriptions.

Clinical staff is required to consult the CURES database the first time a patient is prescribed, ordered, administered, or furnished a controlled substance and at regular intervals thereafter if the controlled substance remains a part of the patient’s treatment plan. Since October, we have carefully evaluated its impact and moving forward we have identified a need for more frequent and regular interfacing with our office for those patients receiving these medications. This can be in the form of an office visit or a formal telemedicine conference with our clinical staff. During these encounters, a personalized treatment plan will be reviewed and medication prescribed if indicated for continued use.

At Santa Monica Primary Care, it is our privilege to have you as our patient. With such, we wanted to make you aware of these developments which are part of a national conversation about our approach to controlled substance use.