Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | State of California -Department of Justice

Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) CURES 2.0 Soft Launchand Phased Rollout

June 30, 2015

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are pleased toannounce that the states new Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation Systemcommonly referred to as CURES 2.0 will go live on July 1, 2015. This upgraded prescription drugmonitoring program features a variety of performance improvements and added functionality.

In order to ensure a smooth transition from the current system, CURES 2.0 will be rolled out tousers in phases over the next several months, beginning with early adoption by a select group ofusers who currently use CURES and meet the CURES 2.0 security standards, including minimumbrowser specifications.** DOJ is currently identifying prescribers and dispensers who meet thesecriteria and will contact and coordinate their enrollment into CURES 2.0. For all other current users,access to CURES 1.0 will not change and no action is needed at this time. For users and entities notcurrently enrolled in CURES, further notification will be provided in August as to theenrollment/registration process.

Practitioners and health systems should begin to prepare for universal adoption of the system byJanuary 2016, at which point all users will be required to meet CURES 2.0s security standards. Ifyou have any questions please contact cures@doj.ca.gov.

Thank you for your continued support of the CURES program.

**CURES 2.0 users will be required to use Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 11.0 or greater,Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome, or Safari when accessing the system.

CURES Contact Information: cures@doj.ca.gov or (916) 227-3843

The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) is a databasecontaining information on Schedule II through IV controlled substances dispensed in California. It isa valuable investigative, preventive, and educational tool for the healthcare community, regulatoryboards, and law enforcement.

The California Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) maintains the CURES database. ThePDMP allows authorized users, including licensed healthcare prescribers eligible to prescribecontrolled substances, pharmacists authorized to dispense controlled substances, law enforcement,and regulatory boards, to access patient controlled substance history information maintained inCURES. The PDMP is committed to assisting in the reduction of pharmaceutical drug diversionwithout affecting legitimate medical practice or patient care.

Through online access to CURES, authorized prescribers and pharmacists can quickly reviewinformation via Patient Activity Reports (PAR) in an effort to identify and deter drug abuse anddiversion through accurate and rapid tracking of Schedule II through IV controlled substances. In2014, over 3.5 million PAR requests were processed.

To obtain access to CURES, prescribers and pharmacists must: (1) submit an application formelectronically; and (2) mail a notarized copy of their printed and signed Application Confirmation,along with copies of the following supporting documents: Drug Enforcement Administrationregistration certificate (prescribers only), medical or pharmacist license, and a government-issuedphoto identification. Applicants can email their complete CURES application packet topmp@doj.ca.gov or mail by standard U.S. mail to:

California Department of Justice

PDMP/CURES

P.O. Box 160447

Sacramento, CA 95816

The Department of Justice (DOJ) limits access to and dissemination of CURES information tolicensed prescribers, licensed pharmacists, law enforcement personnel, and regulatory boardpersonnel strictly for patient care or official investigatory/regulatory purposes. The DOJ pursuesregulatory and/or criminal sanctions for misuse of CURES information.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 (HIPAA) and all confidentiality anddisclosure provisions of California law cover the information contained in CURES. All users mustcomply with HIPAA Privacy Rule Requirements when using CURES.

Submission of Controlled Substance Data

California Health & Safety Code Section 11165(d) requires dispensing pharmacies, clinics, or otherdispensers of Schedule II through IV controlled substances to provide specified dispensinginformation to the DOJ on a weekly basis in a format approved and accepted by the DOJ. Currently,the ASAP 2009 Version 4.1 format is accepted.

Direct Dispense Reporting Application

The DOJ, in coordination with Atlantic Associates, Inc. (AAI), allows direct dispense prescribers andentities, including pharmacies filling less than 25 prescriptions per month, to electronically reportdispensing data to the DOJ. The direct dispense application can be accessed on the Direct Dispensewebsite located at www.aaicures.com. Also available at this website are instructions on how to applyfor an account and submit dispense data. Please note that the DOJ no longer accepts paper directdispense reports.

To access the secured direct dispense site, dispensers must first complete the application athttp://aaicures.com/register.for.access.php. Once an application has been submitted, an emailconfirmation from AAI will provide approved users with a username and temporary password. If anemail confirmation is not received within 48 hours of submitting the application, please contact AAIat CACures@aainh.com or (800) 539-3370.

For additional information concerning controlled substance prescription data reporting, pleasecontact AAI at CACures@aainh.com or (800) 539-3370.

Prescription Forms (For Prescribers)Obtain Security Prescription Forms

California law requires prescribers of any Schedule II through V controlled substance to obtain anduse tamper-resistant prescription forms ordered only from state-approved security printers. To ordertamper-resistant prescription forms, please refer to the Approved List of Security PrescriptionPrinters for vendors authorized by the DOJ and their contact information.

Report Lost or Stolen Prescription Forms

Reports of lost or stolen prescription forms or pads must be reported to local law enforcement andthe PDMP. Users registered with CURES can href="https://pmp.doj.ca.gov/pdmp/index.do"target="_blank">electronically report their lost or stolen prescription forms or pads online whenlogged into their CURES account. A law enforcement agency report number is required whensubmitting a report of lost or stolen prescription forms to the PDMP.

For questions concerning how to report lost or stolen prescription pads or forms, please contact theSecurity Prescription Printer Program at SecurityPrinter@doj.ca.gov.