Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is my username?

If you think you are already registered as a data requester but you don’t remember your password, you can try using the “Password Recovery” function. Enter your email address in the space provided under the “Password Recovery” tab, and click the “Submit” button. An email will be sent to you automatically, with a link to follow to reset your password. If you do not receive an email message within 15 minutes, contact the Maine PMP Helpdesk via email at mepdmphelpdesk@ghsinc.com or by phone at 866-749-7838.

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What is my password?

Password recovery is now automated. If you do not remember your password, simply click on the “Password Recovery” tab at the log in screen. Enter either your username or password in one of the spaces provided, and then wait to receive an email with a link in it. This link will lead you right to a “Set Password” screen, on which you will be asked to type a new password twice. Once your new password is set, you can log in with your new password.

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Why does the web portal look so different?

Goold Health Systems (GHS) is now hosting the online database interface. The new portal offers several new features, including automated password recovery (available 24/7), more up-to-date data, and several new features for data submitters. The new system will, in effect, provide easier access to more accurate data.

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Why can’t I generate a patient report?

Check your settings. Make sure you are allowing “pop ups” for the PMP web site. To do so, log in to the site and copy the address. Then, go to the “Tools” menu of your browser and click on the “Pop up blocker” option, and go to “Pop-up blocker settings.” In the “Address of web sites to allow” field, paste the portal web address, and then click the “Add” button. Then, click the “Close” button. Finally, retry running the report. If you still have difficulty, try logging out and logging back in again. If all else fails, call the Technical Helpdesk at 866-749-7838.

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How do I help a patient find substance abuse treatment?

Please visit the Office of Substance Abuse web site, http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa, for more information about substance abuse. If you want to find treatment agencies, click on the “Find Help” link.

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Who is required to be involved with the Prescription Monitoring Program?

Any pharmacy that is licensed to dispense prescription in or into the State of Maine is required by law to report to the program. Neither hospital inpatient dispensing data nor data from veterinarians is collected. Doctors are not required to report or use the system, although we strongly encourage them to register to obtain access to the data.

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How does HIPAA affect the Prescription Monitoring Program?

In administrating the PMP program, OSA is a “health oversight agency” under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Because the disclosures of information to the PMP by Pharmacies are mandated and not discretionary, the patient does not need to be informed of the disclosure, and does not need to consent to it. For more information about HIPAA go to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights - HIPAA Page.

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Which drugs does the program monitor?

The Legislation creating the program stipulates that the program shall monitor all drugs in Schedules II, III, & IV as described by the Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

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Who can access the information in the system?

Pharmacists and prescribers can access the system for information regarding their own patients only. Licensing boards may use the information for investigations they are running. Law enforcement officials can access the data only through the Attorney General's Office by subpoena for a case they are currently investigating. Individuals may access the system to receive information about themselves. For more specifics on access please refer to the regulations.

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Why was the Prescription Monitoring Program set up?

In response to the rapid rise of prescription drug abuse since 1997, and based on alarming statistics like the ones given below, Maine's legislature assigned the task of creating an electronic Prescription Monitoring Program to the Office of Substance Abuse (OSA) in 2003 to help address this problem.


  • Overdose deaths increased dramatically between 1995 and 2002, primarily because of prescription drug abuse. In 2001, 70 out of 90 drug-related deaths (78%) were caused by a pharmaceutical. In 2002, 148 out of 166 drug-related deaths (89%) were caused by a pharmaceutical.

  • Treatment admissions for prescription drug abuse increased exponentially from 83 in 1995 to 1148 in 2003 (according to TDS).

  • Arrests for prescription drug diversion increased dramatically during the same time period, constituting 16% of MDEA arrests in State Fiscal Year 2003.

  • Many youth have reported use of prescription drugs to get high (according to the MYDAUS and the NSDUH).

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Will my PMP information be safe?

The information being collected is safeguarded in both its collection and distribution (see "Who can access the information in the system?"). Prescribers and Dispensers must register to access information from the database. Inappropriate use of the information is a Class C Felony as stated by the law.

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Prescriber Questions

I got a letter from the Office of Substance Abuse about a patient. Why did I get it? What should I do about it?

If you receive a report from the Prescription Monitoring Program, the patient has crossed a threshold number of prescribers, pharmacies, or drug levels during a given time period (these thresholds may change over time).

Four steps are recommended for handling threshold reports:

  • CONFIRM that you wrote the prescriptions attributed to you,
  • CONSIDER contacting the other prescribers on the report,
  • DISCUSS the report with the patient, and
  • FILE the report in the patient’s chart.


Further guidelines regarding what can be done with PMP reports may be found on OSA’s prescribers' page.

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How can the PMP information help me in my daily practice of medicine?

The PMP database is most useful for detecting and preventing “doctor-shopping.” If you sign up as a data requester, you can log on and view controlled substance prescription history for a patient, dating back as far as July of 2004. If you see a pattern of excessive use of controlled substances, you can use more caution in prescribing or dispensing to the patient.

Another use for the database is for prescribers to detect pharmacy errors or fraudulent use of their DEA numbers. A data requester can log in and pull up a “Prescriber History” to find what prescriptions for controlled substances have been attributed to them during a specified time period.

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How do I get PMP information about my patients?

Each quarter, Patient Threshold Reports are automatically sent to the health care providers of any patient who exceeds the threshold number of prescribers or pharmacies.

You may also register to become a "Data Requester" of PMP data at http://www.maine.gov/pmp. Once your registration is approved, you will be able to access PMP data online, at your convenience.

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Can I get PMP information about a new patient?

Yes; if you are registered with our program, you can request a report on a new patient you will be seeing at a future appointment. This allows you to check on someone’s Schedule II, III, and IV drug history before you even see them (see above, How do I get PMP information about my patients?)

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Can I consult with other Prescribers listed on a patient report without patient authorization?

According to HIPAA, this type of consultation is permitted becuase consultation is within the HIPAA definition of "treatment". To see the official FAQ about this question the reference to HIPAA, please click here: Consultation.

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What PMP data disclosures am I permitted to make?

The Maine Medical Association has produced a Privacy Issues Document outlining how state and federal regulations effect what disclosure providers can make of PMP data they have received. The document answers questions relating to diclosures too: the patient, other practitioners, pharmacists, MaineCare, regulatory personnel, law enforcement, and it talks about legal responsiblity for not acting based on PMP data received. Hard copies can be requested (to be received by fax or mail) by calling (207) 287-3363 or you can download the document in Word.

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How do I access Patient History Reports in Internet Explorer 7

If you are using Internet Explorer 7, Patient History Reports may not open. Please use the following guide to change your browser settings so the report can display: IE 7 Settings

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