Public Policies to Support the Responsible Use of Prescription Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Medications
Prescription stimulant medications are classified as Schedule II controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and have a high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.1 Adlon Therapeutics endorses the following policies that can help to reduce addiction, misuse, abuse, and diversion related to prescription CNS stimulant medications. Additional considerations for the use of prescription CNS stimulant medications can be found here.
Dissemination of FDA-Approved Medication Guides for Prescription CNS Stimulants
Adlon supports policies that ensure every patient who is prescribed a prescription stimulant medication is aware of and receives that drug’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Medication Guide.2 Medication Guides contain important safety information for patients and caregivers. Medication Guides for prescription CNS stimulant medications contain important information about possible side effects, including serious side effects, and risks associated with taking prescription stimulant medications, including abuse and dependence, heart-related problems, and mental (psychiatric) problems.3 Medication Guides also tell how to take the medicines, how to store them, and how to safely dispose of them when they are no longer needed.
Patient Education to Promote Safe Handling, Storage and Appropriate Disposal of Medications, Particularly Controlled Substances
Adlon supports programs to educate patients and their families on the proper handling, storage and disposal of medications, and the risks of accidental exposure, or diversion, including sharing of medicines. Information about removal and disposal options is available from the FDA here. Prescribers, dispensing pharmacies, health plans, and federal healthcare programs should include messages about safe handling, storage, and appropriate disposal whenever they interact with patients who are receiving medications by prescription.
Use Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances
Adlon encourages the use of electronic prescribing because it can improve patient safety by reducing medication errors caused by illegible prescriptions or oral miscommunication.4 It can also improve public health and safety by reducing abuse and diversion.5
Use Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
Adlon encourages prescribers and pharmacists to check their state’s PDMP to identify individuals at risk for misuse and patients who are obtaining stimulants or other controlled substances from multiple providers or pharmacies.
References
1U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Scheduling. Accessed Apr 22, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling.
2U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Updates: Medication Guides for Certain Prescription Products. Accessed Apr 22, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm107825.htm.
3Medline Plus. Methylphenidate. Accessed Apr 24, 2019. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682188.html.
4Porterfield A, Engelbert K, Coustasse A. Electronic prescribing: Improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting. Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2014 Spring; 11(Spring): 1g. Accessed Apr 24, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3995494/pdf/phim0011-0001g.pdf.
5 Economic Impact Analysis of the Interim Final Electronic Prescription Rule. Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Department of Justice March 2010. Accessed May 3, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ecomm/e_rx/eia_dea_218.pdf.
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