The Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program (VPMP) has been in effect since 2002, providing reports for prescribers, pharmacists, and other stakeholders in the growing opioid epidemic. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is one such stakeholder and has found great efficacy in the program in investigating suspected drug-related deaths. This review examines the origins of the VPMP, its benefits, and limitations for use during death investigation.
Davis GG; National Association of Medical Examiners and American College of Medical Toxicology Expert Panel on Evaluating and Reporting Opioid Deaths.National Association of Medical Examiners position paper: recommendations for the investigation, diagnosis, and certification of deaths related to opioid drugs.Acad Forensic Pathol.2013 Mar; 3(1): 77–83.
LarochelleM.R., LiebschutzJ.M., ZhangF.. Opioid prescribing after nonfatal overdose and association with repeated overdose.Ann Intern Med.2016 Jan 5; 164(1): 1–9. PMID: 26720742. https://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M15-0038.
12.
DilokthornsakulP., MooreG., CampbellJ.D.. Risk factors of prescription opioid overdose among Colorado Medicaid beneficiaries.J Pain.2016 Apr; 17(4): 436–43. PMID: 26721613. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2015.12.006.
13.
ZedlerB., XieL., WangL., JoyceA.. Risk factors for serious prescription opioid-related toxicity or overdose among Veterans Health Administration patients.Pain Med.2014 Nov; 15(11): 1911–29. PMID: 24931395. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pme.12480.