Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, 9589-9593 [2013-03001]
Download as PDF
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
navigation position while a bent shaft
and damaged gear assembly are
replaced.
DATES: This deviation is effective from
7 a.m., February 11, 2013, to 7 a.m.,
February 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in
this preamble are part of docket USCG–
2013–0043. The docket for this notice,
USCG–2013–0043, is available online at
www.regulations.gov by typing the
docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box
and clicking ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Next, click on
Open Docket Folder on the line
associated with this notice. You may
also visit the Docket Management
Facility in Room W12–140 on the
ground floor of the Department of
Transportation West Building, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this temporary
deviation, call or email Eric A.
Washburn, Bridge Administrator,
Western Rivers, Coast Guard 314–269–
2378, email Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If
you have questions on viewing the
docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone
202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Canadian Pacific Railway requested a
temporary deviation for the Sabula
Railroad Drawbridge, across the Upper
Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula,
Iowa to remain in the closed-tonavigation position while a bent shaft
and damaged gear assembly are
replaced. The closure period will start at
7 a.m., February 11, 2013, and last until
7 a.m., February 25, 2013.
Once the bent shaft and gear assembly
are removed, the swing span will not be
able to open, even for emergencies, until
the replacement of the shaft and gear
assembly is installed.
The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge
currently operates in accordance with
33 CFR 117.5, which states the general
requirement that drawbridges shall open
promptly and fully for the passage of
vessels when a request to open is given
in accordance with the subpart. In order
to facilitate the needed bridge work, the
drawbridge must be kept in the closedto-navigation position.
There are no alternate routes for
vessels transiting this section of the
Upper Mississippi River.
The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, in
the closed-to-navigation position,
provides a vertical clearance of 18.1 feet
above normal pool. Navigation on the
waterway consists primarily of
commercial tows and recreational
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Feb 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
watercraft. This temporary deviation has
been coordinated with the waterway
users. No objections were received.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e),
the drawbridge must return to its regular
operating schedule immediately at the
end of the effective period of this
temporary deviation. This deviation
from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: January 25, 2013.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2013–02961 Filed 2–8–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
38 CFR Part 1
RIN 2900–AO45
Disclosures To Participate in State
Prescription Drug Monitoring
Programs
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Interim final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) amends its regulations
concerning the sharing of certain patient
information in order to implement VA’s
authority to participate in State
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
(PDMPs). Participation in PDMPs will
allow the VA patient population to
benefit from the reduction in negative
health outcomes.
DATES: Effective Date: This rule is
effective on February 11, 2013.
Comment Date: Comments must be
received on or before April 12, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
submitted by email through https://
www.regulations.gov; by mail or handdelivery to Director, Regulations
Management (02REG), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC
20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026.
Comments should indicate that they are
submitted in response to ‘‘RIN 2900–
AO45, Disclosures to Participate in State
Drug Monitoring Programs.’’ Copies of
comments received will be available for
public inspection in the Office of
Regulation Policy and Management,
Room 1063B, between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday (except holidays). Please call
(202) 461–4902 for an appointment.
(This is not a toll-free number.) In
addition, during the comment period,
comments may be viewed online
through the Federal Docket Management
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9589
System (FDMS) at https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephania Griffin, Director, Information
Access and Privacy Office (10P2C1),
Veterans Health Administration, 810
Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20420, 704–245–2492. (This is not a
toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
December 23, 2011, the President signed
into law the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2012 (the Act),
Public Law 112–74. Section 230 of the
Act amended 38 U.S.C. 5701, which
governs the confidential nature of VA
claims and information of present and
former members of the Armed Forces
and their dependents in VA’s
possession, by adding a new subsection
(l), which reads as follows:
Under regulations the Secretary [of
Veterans Affairs] shall prescribe, the
Secretary may disclose information about a
veteran or the dependent of a veteran to a
State controlled substance monitoring
program, including a program approved by
the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under section 399O of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–3), to the extent
necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of
prescription medicines.
Section 230 of the Act similarly
amended 38 U.S.C. 7332, which governs
the confidentiality of VA records
relating to drug abuse, alcoholism or
alcohol abuse, infection with the human
immunodeficiency virus, or sickle cell
anemia, by adding a subparagraph (G) to
subsection (b)(2), which sets forth
exceptions to section 7332’s privacy
protections. Subparagraph (G)
authorizes VA to release this protected
information:
[t]o a State controlled substance
monitoring program, including a program
approved by the Secretary of Health and
Human Services under section 399O of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–
3), to the extent necessary to prevent misuse
and diversion of prescription medicines.
State controlled substance monitoring
programs, as named in the Act, are
commonly referred to as State
prescription drug monitoring programs
or PDMPs. States implement and
maintain the PDMP databases on
controlled substances prescribed and
filled by pharmacies within their
borders to achieve public health and
law enforcement objectives.
Sections 5701 and 7332 are VA
statutes that afford privacy protections
to the information of veterans and their
dependents, as well as active-duty
servicemembers under section 5701,
and to VA patients with certain medical
conditions. The Act authorizes new
E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM
11FER1
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
9590
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
exceptions to the limitations on
disclosures in sections 5701 and 7332
that permit VA to disclose information
to PDMPs on veterans and their
dependents about prescriptions of
controlled substances.
The two statutory exceptions created
in the Act do not by themselves
authorize VA to disclose information to
PDMPs. In addition to sections 5701 and
7332, VA’s authority to disclose
information to PDMPs is subject to the
Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and
the Standards for Privacy of
Individually Identifiable Health
Information (HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45
CFR Parts 160 and 164). Before releasing
information to PDMPs, under the
Privacy Act, VA must publish a Federal
Register notice establishing a routine
use for the relevant system of records
from which the information will be
disclosed. VA will publish the required
notice separate from this rulemaking.
VA’s authority to disclose the
information to PDMPs under the HIPAA
Privacy Rule is contained in 45 CFR
164.512(b), which allows disclosures to
an agency or authority responsible for
public health matters as part of its
official mandate. The combination of
these four authorities allows VA to
disclose information pertaining to the
prescriptions for controlled substances
to veterans and their dependents.
VA will participate in PDMPs by both
disclosing and obtaining information
from States about VA patients. By
contributing to and reviewing PDMP
databases, VA health care providers will
be able to identify at-risk individuals
and trends that will assist in the
prevention of the accidental or
intentional misuse of prescribed
medication by veterans and their
dependents. By both disclosing
information to and acquiring
information from PDMPs, VA would
improve the public health benefits
already realized by PDMPs and obtain
vital information that will reduce the
number of emergency room visits and
overdoses attributable to prescription
drug misuse and identify patients at risk
of negative health outcomes associated
with the misuse of prescribed controlled
substances. Episodes of care associated
with the abuse or misuse of controlled
substances can be costly and VA
anticipates a significant aggregate
benefit by providing data to States with
PDMPs. Controlled substances, when
used appropriately, have proven to
significantly improve the overall health
of patients. However, these substances
present serious health risks when they
are not used strictly in accordance with
prescribed instructions or when used
along with other contraindicated
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Feb 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
prescription drugs. Although patients
have the right to control their health
information, and respecting this right is
at the heart of professional ethics and
patient-centered care, overriding the
confidentiality of certain health
information can be ethically justified to
protect the health and safety of the
public. Sharing the necessary
information to participate in PDMPs
supports this ethical justification.
Although the Act provides authority
in 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 7332 for VA to
disclose information to PDMPs, it
requires VA to promulgate regulations
to implement the authority only under
section 5701. However, we are
promulgating regulations to implement
the authority under both sections 5701
and 7332 for clarity. VA implements
sections 5701 and 7332 through separate
bodies of regulations dedicated to each
statute.
The body of regulations for section
5701 is published in part 1 under the
undesignated center heading ‘‘Release of
Information From Department of
Veterans Affairs Claimant Records.’’ We
are establishing a new section, 38 CFR
1.515, under the heading ‘‘Disclosure of
information to participate in state
prescription drug monitoring
programs.’’ We note that current § 1.515
is titled ‘‘To commanding officers of
State soldiers’ homes.’’ This rulemaking
reassigns that section to reserved
§ 1.523. This new § 1.515 implements
the authority created under 38 U.S.C.
5701(l) and explains the extent to which
VA will disclose information to PDMPs.
We are adding a reference to new
§ 1.515 in the regulation that
implements the authority created under
38 U.S.C. 7332(b)(2). We are adding an
authority citation to the end of § 1.515
that reflects the statutory authorities
relied upon in this rulemaking. These
authorities are discussed throughout the
preamble.
The body of regulations for section
7332 is published in part 1 under the
undesignated center heading ‘‘Release of
Information from Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) Records Relating
to Drug Abuse, Alcoholism or Alcohol
Abuse, Infection with the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), or
Sickle Cell Anemia.’’ Under that
heading, this rulemaking creates a new
§ 1.483 under the undesignated center
subheading ‘‘Disclosures Without
Patient Consent.’’ The new section
cross-references new § 1.515.
This rulemaking creates new § 1.515
to implement VA’s authority to disclose
information contained in a claimant’s
records to PDMPs and details the
information that will be provided to
PDMPs under all statutory and
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
regulatory authorities. In new § 1.515(b),
we define a ‘‘[c]ontrolled substance’’ as
a substance identified by United States
Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) regulations (21 CFR part 1308) as
a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled
substance. We note that the Act only
authorizes the specific disclosure of
information pertaining to what is
commonly understood within the
medical profession to be controlled
substances. Although some States
occasionally expand their definition of
which substances may be considered
controlled substances, the DEA
regulatory list is the most universally
accepted list of such substances. DEA is
the recognized authority for establishing
the list of controlled substances and
updates the list as necessary. VA will
rely on DEA’s expertise in choosing to
use these schedules to define the
controlled substances that we will
report to PDMPs.
We specifically exclude Schedule I
substances under 21 CFR part 1308
because these substances are not
dispensed by VA due to their lack of
medical value. Therefore, VA has no
data to share regarding these substances.
In paragraph (b), we define a PDMP as
‘‘a State controlled substance
monitoring program, including a
program approved by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services under
section 399O of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–3).’’ This
definition encompasses all existing
PDMPs and will allow for VA to share
information with any States that
develop PDMPs in the future. This
definition is derived directly from the
Act.
In paragraph (c), we state that VA may
disclose to PDMPs information that falls
under specified categories of
information.
Paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) describe
the three categories of information that
will be disclosed to PDMPs under the
regulation and provide examples of
these categories of information. The Act
does not require, nor can VA at this time
provide, a definitive list of the
individual data elements within each
category that will be shared with PDMPs
by VA due to variances in the
requirements of PDMPs. Based on VA’s
review of PDMP requirements, we
believe that the information VA must
provide to participate with the PDMPs
will fall into one of these general
categories of information, and the
examples provided represent the
specific information that will be shared
with the majority of PDMPs.
The examples provided under
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) are
derived from section 399O of the Public
E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM
11FER1
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–3).
Under section 280g–3, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) authorizes grants to
States that operate PDMPs according to
the requirements set forth in the statute.
Although the grant program is voluntary
and the statute allows States some
flexibility to require reporting of
information not in the statute, VA will
use these examples as a baseline for
reporting data to PDMPs. This list of
reporting elements was created by
Congress when it established the HHS
grant program. We believe this indicates
that Congress finds these elements to be
the most effective in meeting the public
health goals of PDMPs. However, as
stated, the elements within each
category of information in § 1.515(c) are
examples. To better collaborate with
States, VA requires flexibility to identify
additional reporting requirements and
to determine whether VA is capable of
providing such information. VA may
provide an element of information that
falls within one of the categories even
if it is not named as an example;
however, without further rulemaking,
VA will not provide information to
PDMPs that does not fall within one of
the three listed categories of
information.
Paragraph (c)(1) authorizes the
disclosure of demographic information
‘‘of veterans and dependents of veterans
who are prescribed a controlled
substance.’’ The Act amends 38 U.S.C.
5701 and 7332, which only apply to
certain patient, veteran, or veteran
dependent information maintained by
VA. VA will also disclose any
additional information necessary to
meaningfully participate in PDMPs, to
the extent that such disclosures are
authorized under the Privacy Act of
1974 and HIPAA Privacy Rule
requirements, as well as the
amendments to sections 5701 and 7332.
Paragraph (c)(2) authorizes sharing
information about the prescribed
controlled substance, including the
substance’s national drug code number,
quantity dispensed, number of refills
ordered, whether the prescription was a
refill or for first-time use, and the date
of origin of the prescription. Such
information is critical to the proper use
of PDMP databases to prevent misuse
and protect the health of patients.
Merely reporting a prescription of a
particular substance will not provide
the context necessary to determine if the
prescription is appropriate in relation to
the patient’s condition and other
prescriptions.
Paragraph (c)(3) explains that certain
prescriber information will be shared
with PDMPs. Such information
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Feb 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
identifies where an individual is
receiving care and the identity of the
provider, which may facilitate
communication between providers
when necessary to prevent negative
health outcomes. Such information is
also required by PDMPs in order to
regulate the quality of contributions to
their databases and prevent fraudulent
or erroneous reporting.
As a technical matter, we note that
one section previously reserved by VA
in the CFR is no longer reserved. Title
38 of the CFR currently contains a
specific reservation for §§ 1.480 through
1.483. This rulemaking creates new
§ 1.483 and intends for this section to be
published under the undesignated
center subheading ‘‘Disclosures Without
Patient Consent.’’ The CFR should be
updated to correctly reserve §§ 1.480
through 1.482.
Effect of Rulemaking
Title 38 of the CFR, as revised by this
interim final rulemaking, represents
VA’s implementation of its legal
authority on this subject. Other than
future amendments to this regulation or
governing statutes, no contrary guidance
or procedures on this subject are
authorized. All VA guidance must be
read to conform with this rulemaking if
possible or, if not possible, such
guidance is superseded by this
rulemaking.
Administrative Procedure Act
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs finds
good cause to issue this interim final
rule without prior notice and comment.
This interim final rule implements VA’s
authorized participation in State PDMPs
to identify and prevent potential misuse
of prescription drugs and assist in
avoiding negative health outcomes for
VA patients, including emergency
treatment and accidental overdose. As
increasing numbers of veterans return
from active duty with complex,
catastrophic injuries for which pain
must be controlled in part by the use of
controlled substance medications, VA
clinicians require the most complete
patient information available. The
misuse of prescription medication has
reached epidemic levels nationwide,
and the veteran population is at a
heightened risk for negative health
outcomes associated with the improper
use of controlled substances. Veterans
are subject to unique risk factors
involving the misuse of prescribed
controlled substances. Karen H. Seal et
al., ‘‘Association of Mental Health
Disorders With Prescription Opioids
and High-Risk Opioid Use in US
Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,’’ 307
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9591
JAMA 940 (2012). The conflicts in Iraq
and Afghanistan have led to a sharp
increase in the number of
servicemembers and veterans returning
with serious injuries that present
symptoms associated with severe pain.
Recent studies indicate that almost half
of veterans who served in Operation
Enduring Freedom and/or Operation
Iraqi Freedom, and entered VA health
care from 2005 through 2008 received at
least one pain-related diagnosis, and of
those who received such diagnosis, 66
percent received more than one pain
diagnosis. Other risk factors present in
the veteran population such as
increased rates of homelessness, suicide
attempts, and alcohol and other
substance-abuse disorders increase the
likelihood that an individual will
misuse prescribed controlled substances
and suffer negative health outcomes.
Karen H. Seal et al., ‘‘Association of
Mental Health Disorders With
Prescription Opioids and High-Risk
Opioid Use in US Veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan,’’ 307 JAMA 940 (2012).
In addition to promoting the health
and safety of VA’s patient population,
there are exigent public health reasons
not to delay implementation of this rule.
The abuse of prescription drugs is
growing rapidly throughout the United
States. Controlled substances prescribed
for pain are misused by patients and
often result in negative health outcomes
including emergency hospital
visitations and overdose. The U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services estimates that in 2009 more
than 1 million emergency department
visits nationwide involved the nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, more
than doubling in number compared to
2004. Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Servs. Admin., U.S. Dep’t of Health &
Human Servs., Drug Abuse Warning
Network, 2009: Nat’l Estimates of DrugRelated Emergency Dep’t Visits (2011).
In 2009 alone, more than 37,000
Americans died from drug overdoses,
with 15,500 deaths being attributable to
opioids. Ctrs. for Disease Control &
Prevention, U.S. Dep’t of Health &
Human Servs., Underlying Cause of
Death 1999–2009, CDC WONDER
Database (2012). Pain-relief
medications, including controlled
substances, are the most frequent form
of medication used in suicide attempts
via overdose.
State PDMPs are effective in detecting
and preventing prescription medication
misuse. One of the primary risk factors
for individuals who overdose on
opioids, controlled substances generally
prescribed for pain, is ‘‘doctor
shopping,’’ or obtaining multiple
prescriptions from different providers.
E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM
11FER1
9592
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Alan G. White et al., ‘‘Analytic Models
to Identify Patients at Risk for
Prescription Opioid Abuse,’’ 15 Am J.
Managed Care 897 (2009). PDMPs in
States with robust monitoring programs
have shown some success in curbing the
rapid growth in opioid consumption
occurring nationally. Leonard J.
Paulozzi & Daniel D. Stier, ‘‘Prescription
drug laws, drug overdoses, and drug
sales in New York and Pennsylvania,’’
31 J. of Pub. Health Pol’y 422 (2010).
Although many PDMPs are relatively
new and data is limited, preliminary
data indicates that PDMPs are
associated with mitigated risks of abuse
and misuse of opioids in the general
population over time. Liza M. Reifler et
al., ‘‘Do Prescription Monitoring
Programs Impact State Trends in Opioid
Abuse/Misuse?’’ 13 Pain Med. 434
(2012). Some states have also noted that
reporting individuals to the PDMP has
reduced the number of doctors and
pharmacies visited. ‘‘Nevada’s Proactive
PMP: The Impact of Unsolicited
Reports,’’ Prescription Monitoring
Program Ctr. of Excellence, Brandeis
Univ. (Oct. 2011), https://
www.pmpexcellence.org/sites/all/pdfs/
nevada_nff_10_26_11.pdf. In 2002,
Congress recognized their value by
beginning to provide funding to support
these programs and has continued to do
so since. Effective PDMPs have also
coincided with reductions in the rate of
hospital admissions related to the
misuse of controlled substances.
Leonard J. Paulozzi & Daniel D. Stier,
‘‘Prescription drug laws, drug
overdoses, and drug sales in New York
and Pennsylvania,’’ 31 J. of Pub. Health
Pol’y 422 (2010).
For these reasons, the Secretary has
concluded that ordinary notice and
comment procedures would be
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest and is accordingly issuing this
rule as an interim final rule. In order to
ensure timely implementation of the
program established by this rule, and for
the reasons stated above, the Secretary
also finds, in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), that there is good cause for
this interim final rule to be effective
immediately upon publication. For the
same reasons detailed above, it is in the
public’s interest to commence this
program as soon as possible, and this
will be facilitated by an immediate
effective date.
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that
agencies prepare an assessment of
anticipated costs and benefits before
issuing any rule that may result in the
expenditure by State, local, and tribal
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Feb 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more
(adjusted annually for inflation) in any
given year. This interim final rule will
have no such effect on State, local, and
tribal governments, or on the private
sector.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This interim final rule contains no
provisions constituting a collection of
information under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–
3521).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary hereby certifies that
this regulatory action will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities as
they are defined in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–12. This
regulatory action affects only
individuals and will not affect any small
entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
605(b), this regulatory action is exempt
from the initial and final flexibility
analysis requirements of sections 603
and 604.
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
direct agencies to assess the costs and
benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, when regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety
effects, and other advantages;
distributive impacts; and equity).
Executive Order 13563 (Improving
Regulation and Regulatory Review)
emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits,
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and
promoting flexibility. Executive Order
12866 (Regulatory Planning and
Review) defines a ‘‘significant
regulatory action,’’ which requires
review by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), as ‘‘any regulatory action
that is likely to result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the
economy, a sector of the economy,
productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or
State, local, or tribal governments or
communities; (2) Create a serious
inconsistency or otherwise interfere
with an action taken or planned by
another agency; (3) Materially alter the
budgetary impact of entitlements,
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the
rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy
issues arising out of legal mandates, the
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
President’s priorities, or the principles
set forth in this Executive Order.’’
The economic, interagency,
budgetary, legal, and policy
implications of this regulatory action
have been examined, and it has been
determined to be a significant regulatory
action under Executive Order 12866.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance numbers and titles for this
rule are 64.012 Veterans Prescription
Service and 64.019 Veterans
Rehabilitation-Alcohol and Drug
Dependence.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
designee, approved this document and
authorized the undersigned to sign and
submit the document to the Office of the
Federal Register for publication
electronically as an official document of
the Department of Veterans Affairs. John
R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department
of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on February 5, 2013, for
publication.
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 1
Administrative practice and
procedure, Archives and records,
Cemeteries, Claims, Courts, Crime,
Flags, Freedom of Information,
Government employees, Government
property, Infants and children,
Inventions and patents, Parking,
Penalties, Privacy, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Seals and
insignia, Security measures, Wages.
Dated: February 6, 2013.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director of Regulation Policy and
Management, Office of the General Counsel,
Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 1 as
follows:
PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The authority citation for part 1
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), and as noted
in specific sections.
2. Section 1.483 is added immediately
following the undesignated center
heading ‘‘Disclosures Without Patient
Consent’’ to read as follows:
■
§ 1.483 Disclosure of information to
participate in state prescription drug
monitoring programs.
Information covered by §§ 1.460
through 1.499 of this part may be
disclosed to State Prescription Drug
Monitoring Programs pursuant to the
E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM
11FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 28 / Monday, February 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
limitations set forth in § 1.515 of this
part.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
3. Section 1.515 is redesignated as
§ 1.523 and a new § 1.515 is added to
read as follows:
40 CFR Part 52
§ 1.515 Disclosure of information to
participate in state prescription drug
monitoring programs.
Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans;
Maryland; Amendments to Maryland’s
Ambient Air Quality Standards
■
[EPA–R03–OAR–2012–0982; FRL–9777–2]
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
(a) General. Information covered by
§§ 1.500 through 1.527 of this part may
be disclosed to State Prescription Drug
Monitoring Programs pursuant to the
limitations set forth in paragraph (c) of
this section.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of
this section:
Controlled substance means any
substance identified in 21 CFR part
1308 as a schedule II, III, IV, or V
controlled substance.
State Prescription Drug Monitoring
Program (PDMP) means a State
controlled substance monitoring
program, including a program approved
by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services under section 399O of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g–3).
(c) Participation in PDMPs. VA may
disclose to PDMPs any of the following
information concerning the prescription
of controlled substances:
(1) Demographic information of
veterans and dependents of veterans
who are prescribed a controlled
substance. Examples include name,
address, and telephone number.
(2) Information about the prescribed
controlled substances. Examples
include the identification of the
substance by a national drug code
number, quantity dispensed, number of
refills ordered, whether the substances
were dispensed as a refill of a
prescription or as a first-time request,
and date of origin of the prescription.
(3) Prescriber information. Examples
include the prescriber’s United States
Drug Enforcement Administrationissued identification number
authorizing the individual to prescribe
controlled substances and United States
Department of Health and Human
Services-issued National Provider
Identifier number.
(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a; 38 U.S.C. 5701,
7332; 45 CFR 164.512(b))
[FR Doc. 2013–03001 Filed 2–8–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Feb 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is taking direct final
action to approve revisions to the State
of Maryland State Implementation Plan
(SIP). The revisions pertain to adoption
through incorporation by reference of
the national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS) by the State of
Maryland. EPA is approving these
revisions that adopt the NAAQS for
ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), lead (Pb),
particulate matter (PM) and carbon
monoxide (CO) as well as the relevant
reference and equivalent monitoring
methods through incorporation by
reference into the Code of Maryland
regulations (COMAR) on an ‘‘as
amended’’ basis which will
prospectively incorporate all future
revisions and additions to the NAAQS
in accordance with the requirements of
the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: This rule is effective on April 12,
2013 without further notice, unless EPA
receives adverse written comment by
March 13, 2013. If EPA receives such
comments, it will publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final rule in the
Federal Register and inform the public
that the rule will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID Number EPA–
R03–OAR–2012–0982 by one of the
following methods:
A. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
B. Email: Mastro.Donna@epa.gov.
C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2012–0982,
Donna Mastro, Acting Associate
Director, Office of Air Program
Planning, Mailcode 3AP30, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
D. Hand Delivery: At the previouslylisted EPA Region III address. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket’s normal hours of operation, and
special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR–2012–
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9593
0982. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change, and may be
made available online at
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through www.regulations.gov
or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless
you provide it in the body of your
comment. If you send an email
comment directly to EPA without going
through www.regulations.gov, your
email address will be automatically
captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public
docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact
information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD–ROM
you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification,
EPA may not be able to consider your
comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form
of encryption, and be free of any defects
or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the
electronic docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy during normal business
hours at the Air Protection Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
Copies of the State submittal are
available at the Maryland Department of
the Environment, 1800 Washington
Boulevard, Suite 705, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Cripps, (215) 814–2179, or
by email at Cripps.Christopher@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\11FER1.SGM
11FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9589-9593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03001]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
38 CFR Part 1
RIN 2900-AO45
Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring
Programs
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Interim final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations
concerning the sharing of certain patient information in order to
implement VA's authority to participate in State Prescription Drug
Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). Participation in PDMPs will allow the VA
patient population to benefit from the reduction in negative health
outcomes.
DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 11, 2013.
Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before April 12,
2013.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by email through https://www.regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulations
Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273-9026.
Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN
2900-AO45, Disclosures to Participate in State Drug Monitoring
Programs.'' Copies of comments received will be available for public
inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room
1063B, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for an
appointment. (This is not a toll-free number.) In addition, during the
comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal
Docket Management System (FDMS) at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephania Griffin, Director,
Information Access and Privacy Office (10P2C1), Veterans Health
Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, 704-245-
2492. (This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 23, 2011, the President signed
into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (the Act), Public
Law 112-74. Section 230 of the Act amended 38 U.S.C. 5701, which
governs the confidential nature of VA claims and information of present
and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependents in VA's
possession, by adding a new subsection (l), which reads as follows:
Under regulations the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs] shall
prescribe, the Secretary may disclose information about a veteran or
the dependent of a veteran to a State controlled substance
monitoring program, including a program approved by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services under section 399O of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3), to the extent necessary to prevent
misuse and diversion of prescription medicines.
Section 230 of the Act similarly amended 38 U.S.C. 7332, which
governs the confidentiality of VA records relating to drug abuse,
alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection with the human immunodeficiency
virus, or sickle cell anemia, by adding a subparagraph (G) to
subsection (b)(2), which sets forth exceptions to section 7332's
privacy protections. Subparagraph (G) authorizes VA to release this
protected information:
[t]o a State controlled substance monitoring program, including
a program approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under section 399O of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-
3), to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of
prescription medicines.
State controlled substance monitoring programs, as named in the
Act, are commonly referred to as State prescription drug monitoring
programs or PDMPs. States implement and maintain the PDMP databases on
controlled substances prescribed and filled by pharmacies within their
borders to achieve public health and law enforcement objectives.
Sections 5701 and 7332 are VA statutes that afford privacy
protections to the information of veterans and their dependents, as
well as active-duty servicemembers under section 5701, and to VA
patients with certain medical conditions. The Act authorizes new
[[Page 9590]]
exceptions to the limitations on disclosures in sections 5701 and 7332
that permit VA to disclose information to PDMPs on veterans and their
dependents about prescriptions of controlled substances.
The two statutory exceptions created in the Act do not by
themselves authorize VA to disclose information to PDMPs. In addition
to sections 5701 and 7332, VA's authority to disclose information to
PDMPs is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and the
Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information
(HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164). Before releasing
information to PDMPs, under the Privacy Act, VA must publish a Federal
Register notice establishing a routine use for the relevant system of
records from which the information will be disclosed. VA will publish
the required notice separate from this rulemaking. VA's authority to
disclose the information to PDMPs under the HIPAA Privacy Rule is
contained in 45 CFR 164.512(b), which allows disclosures to an agency
or authority responsible for public health matters as part of its
official mandate. The combination of these four authorities allows VA
to disclose information pertaining to the prescriptions for controlled
substances to veterans and their dependents.
VA will participate in PDMPs by both disclosing and obtaining
information from States about VA patients. By contributing to and
reviewing PDMP databases, VA health care providers will be able to
identify at-risk individuals and trends that will assist in the
prevention of the accidental or intentional misuse of prescribed
medication by veterans and their dependents. By both disclosing
information to and acquiring information from PDMPs, VA would improve
the public health benefits already realized by PDMPs and obtain vital
information that will reduce the number of emergency room visits and
overdoses attributable to prescription drug misuse and identify
patients at risk of negative health outcomes associated with the misuse
of prescribed controlled substances. Episodes of care associated with
the abuse or misuse of controlled substances can be costly and VA
anticipates a significant aggregate benefit by providing data to States
with PDMPs. Controlled substances, when used appropriately, have proven
to significantly improve the overall health of patients. However, these
substances present serious health risks when they are not used strictly
in accordance with prescribed instructions or when used along with
other contraindicated prescription drugs. Although patients have the
right to control their health information, and respecting this right is
at the heart of professional ethics and patient-centered care,
overriding the confidentiality of certain health information can be
ethically justified to protect the health and safety of the public.
Sharing the necessary information to participate in PDMPs supports this
ethical justification.
Although the Act provides authority in 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 7332 for
VA to disclose information to PDMPs, it requires VA to promulgate
regulations to implement the authority only under section 5701.
However, we are promulgating regulations to implement the authority
under both sections 5701 and 7332 for clarity. VA implements sections
5701 and 7332 through separate bodies of regulations dedicated to each
statute.
The body of regulations for section 5701 is published in part 1
under the undesignated center heading ``Release of Information From
Department of Veterans Affairs Claimant Records.'' We are establishing
a new section, 38 CFR 1.515, under the heading ``Disclosure of
information to participate in state prescription drug monitoring
programs.'' We note that current Sec. 1.515 is titled ``To commanding
officers of State soldiers' homes.'' This rulemaking reassigns that
section to reserved Sec. 1.523. This new Sec. 1.515 implements the
authority created under 38 U.S.C. 5701(l) and explains the extent to
which VA will disclose information to PDMPs. We are adding a reference
to new Sec. 1.515 in the regulation that implements the authority
created under 38 U.S.C. 7332(b)(2). We are adding an authority citation
to the end of Sec. 1.515 that reflects the statutory authorities
relied upon in this rulemaking. These authorities are discussed
throughout the preamble.
The body of regulations for section 7332 is published in part 1
under the undesignated center heading ``Release of Information from
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Records Relating to Drug Abuse,
Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse, Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), or Sickle Cell Anemia.'' Under that heading, this
rulemaking creates a new Sec. 1.483 under the undesignated center
subheading ``Disclosures Without Patient Consent.'' The new section
cross-references new Sec. 1.515.
This rulemaking creates new Sec. 1.515 to implement VA's authority
to disclose information contained in a claimant's records to PDMPs and
details the information that will be provided to PDMPs under all
statutory and regulatory authorities. In new Sec. 1.515(b), we define
a ``[c]ontrolled substance'' as a substance identified by United States
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations (21 CFR part 1308) as
a Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance. We note that the Act
only authorizes the specific disclosure of information pertaining to
what is commonly understood within the medical profession to be
controlled substances. Although some States occasionally expand their
definition of which substances may be considered controlled substances,
the DEA regulatory list is the most universally accepted list of such
substances. DEA is the recognized authority for establishing the list
of controlled substances and updates the list as necessary. VA will
rely on DEA's expertise in choosing to use these schedules to define
the controlled substances that we will report to PDMPs.
We specifically exclude Schedule I substances under 21 CFR part
1308 because these substances are not dispensed by VA due to their lack
of medical value. Therefore, VA has no data to share regarding these
substances.
In paragraph (b), we define a PDMP as ``a State controlled
substance monitoring program, including a program approved by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 399O of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3).'' This definition encompasses
all existing PDMPs and will allow for VA to share information with any
States that develop PDMPs in the future. This definition is derived
directly from the Act.
In paragraph (c), we state that VA may disclose to PDMPs
information that falls under specified categories of information.
Paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) describe the three categories of
information that will be disclosed to PDMPs under the regulation and
provide examples of these categories of information. The Act does not
require, nor can VA at this time provide, a definitive list of the
individual data elements within each category that will be shared with
PDMPs by VA due to variances in the requirements of PDMPs. Based on
VA's review of PDMP requirements, we believe that the information VA
must provide to participate with the PDMPs will fall into one of these
general categories of information, and the examples provided represent
the specific information that will be shared with the majority of
PDMPs.
The examples provided under paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) are
derived from section 399O of the Public
[[Page 9591]]
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3). Under section 280g-3, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorizes grants to
States that operate PDMPs according to the requirements set forth in
the statute. Although the grant program is voluntary and the statute
allows States some flexibility to require reporting of information not
in the statute, VA will use these examples as a baseline for reporting
data to PDMPs. This list of reporting elements was created by Congress
when it established the HHS grant program. We believe this indicates
that Congress finds these elements to be the most effective in meeting
the public health goals of PDMPs. However, as stated, the elements
within each category of information in Sec. 1.515(c) are examples. To
better collaborate with States, VA requires flexibility to identify
additional reporting requirements and to determine whether VA is
capable of providing such information. VA may provide an element of
information that falls within one of the categories even if it is not
named as an example; however, without further rulemaking, VA will not
provide information to PDMPs that does not fall within one of the three
listed categories of information.
Paragraph (c)(1) authorizes the disclosure of demographic
information ``of veterans and dependents of veterans who are prescribed
a controlled substance.'' The Act amends 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 7332, which
only apply to certain patient, veteran, or veteran dependent
information maintained by VA. VA will also disclose any additional
information necessary to meaningfully participate in PDMPs, to the
extent that such disclosures are authorized under the Privacy Act of
1974 and HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements, as well as the amendments to
sections 5701 and 7332.
Paragraph (c)(2) authorizes sharing information about the
prescribed controlled substance, including the substance's national
drug code number, quantity dispensed, number of refills ordered,
whether the prescription was a refill or for first-time use, and the
date of origin of the prescription. Such information is critical to the
proper use of PDMP databases to prevent misuse and protect the health
of patients. Merely reporting a prescription of a particular substance
will not provide the context necessary to determine if the prescription
is appropriate in relation to the patient's condition and other
prescriptions.
Paragraph (c)(3) explains that certain prescriber information will
be shared with PDMPs. Such information identifies where an individual
is receiving care and the identity of the provider, which may
facilitate communication between providers when necessary to prevent
negative health outcomes. Such information is also required by PDMPs in
order to regulate the quality of contributions to their databases and
prevent fraudulent or erroneous reporting.
As a technical matter, we note that one section previously reserved
by VA in the CFR is no longer reserved. Title 38 of the CFR currently
contains a specific reservation for Sec. Sec. 1.480 through 1.483.
This rulemaking creates new Sec. 1.483 and intends for this section to
be published under the undesignated center subheading ``Disclosures
Without Patient Consent.'' The CFR should be updated to correctly
reserve Sec. Sec. 1.480 through 1.482.
Effect of Rulemaking
Title 38 of the CFR, as revised by this interim final rulemaking,
represents VA's implementation of its legal authority on this subject.
Other than future amendments to this regulation or governing statutes,
no contrary guidance or procedures on this subject are authorized. All
VA guidance must be read to conform with this rulemaking if possible
or, if not possible, such guidance is superseded by this rulemaking.
Administrative Procedure Act
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs finds good cause to issue this interim final rule without prior
notice and comment. This interim final rule implements VA's authorized
participation in State PDMPs to identify and prevent potential misuse
of prescription drugs and assist in avoiding negative health outcomes
for VA patients, including emergency treatment and accidental overdose.
As increasing numbers of veterans return from active duty with complex,
catastrophic injuries for which pain must be controlled in part by the
use of controlled substance medications, VA clinicians require the most
complete patient information available. The misuse of prescription
medication has reached epidemic levels nationwide, and the veteran
population is at a heightened risk for negative health outcomes
associated with the improper use of controlled substances. Veterans are
subject to unique risk factors involving the misuse of prescribed
controlled substances. Karen H. Seal et al., ``Association of Mental
Health Disorders With Prescription Opioids and High-Risk Opioid Use in
US Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,'' 307 JAMA 940 (2012). The
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to a sharp increase in the
number of servicemembers and veterans returning with serious injuries
that present symptoms associated with severe pain. Recent studies
indicate that almost half of veterans who served in Operation Enduring
Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom, and entered VA health care from
2005 through 2008 received at least one pain-related diagnosis, and of
those who received such diagnosis, 66 percent received more than one
pain diagnosis. Other risk factors present in the veteran population
such as increased rates of homelessness, suicide attempts, and alcohol
and other substance-abuse disorders increase the likelihood that an
individual will misuse prescribed controlled substances and suffer
negative health outcomes. Karen H. Seal et al., ``Association of Mental
Health Disorders With Prescription Opioids and High-Risk Opioid Use in
US Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,'' 307 JAMA 940 (2012).
In addition to promoting the health and safety of VA's patient
population, there are exigent public health reasons not to delay
implementation of this rule. The abuse of prescription drugs is growing
rapidly throughout the United States. Controlled substances prescribed
for pain are misused by patients and often result in negative health
outcomes including emergency hospital visitations and overdose. The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that in 2009
more than 1 million emergency department visits nationwide involved the
non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, more than doubling in number
compared to 2004. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Servs. Admin., U.S.
Dep't of Health & Human Servs., Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2009: Nat'l
Estimates of Drug-Related Emergency Dep't Visits (2011). In 2009 alone,
more than 37,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, with 15,500 deaths
being attributable to opioids. Ctrs. for Disease Control & Prevention,
U.S. Dep't of Health & Human Servs., Underlying Cause of Death 1999-
2009, CDC WONDER Database (2012). Pain-relief medications, including
controlled substances, are the most frequent form of medication used in
suicide attempts via overdose.
State PDMPs are effective in detecting and preventing prescription
medication misuse. One of the primary risk factors for individuals who
overdose on opioids, controlled substances generally prescribed for
pain, is ``doctor shopping,'' or obtaining multiple prescriptions from
different providers.
[[Page 9592]]
Alan G. White et al., ``Analytic Models to Identify Patients at Risk
for Prescription Opioid Abuse,'' 15 Am J. Managed Care 897 (2009).
PDMPs in States with robust monitoring programs have shown some success
in curbing the rapid growth in opioid consumption occurring nationally.
Leonard J. Paulozzi & Daniel D. Stier, ``Prescription drug laws, drug
overdoses, and drug sales in New York and Pennsylvania,'' 31 J. of Pub.
Health Pol'y 422 (2010). Although many PDMPs are relatively new and
data is limited, preliminary data indicates that PDMPs are associated
with mitigated risks of abuse and misuse of opioids in the general
population over time. Liza M. Reifler et al., ``Do Prescription
Monitoring Programs Impact State Trends in Opioid Abuse/Misuse?'' 13
Pain Med. 434 (2012). Some states have also noted that reporting
individuals to the PDMP has reduced the number of doctors and
pharmacies visited. ``Nevada's Proactive PMP: The Impact of Unsolicited
Reports,'' Prescription Monitoring Program Ctr. of Excellence, Brandeis
Univ. (Oct. 2011), https://www.pmpexcellence.org/sites/all/pdfs/nevada_nff_10_26_11.pdf. In 2002, Congress recognized their value by
beginning to provide funding to support these programs and has
continued to do so since. Effective PDMPs have also coincided with
reductions in the rate of hospital admissions related to the misuse of
controlled substances. Leonard J. Paulozzi & Daniel D. Stier,
``Prescription drug laws, drug overdoses, and drug sales in New York
and Pennsylvania,'' 31 J. of Pub. Health Pol'y 422 (2010).
For these reasons, the Secretary has concluded that ordinary notice
and comment procedures would be impracticable and contrary to the
public interest and is accordingly issuing this rule as an interim
final rule. In order to ensure timely implementation of the program
established by this rule, and for the reasons stated above, the
Secretary also finds, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), that there
is good cause for this interim final rule to be effective immediately
upon publication. For the same reasons detailed above, it is in the
public's interest to commence this program as soon as possible, and
this will be facilitated by an immediate effective date.
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C.
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for
inflation) in any given year. This interim final rule will have no such
effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private
sector.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This interim final rule contains no provisions constituting a
collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501-3521).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary hereby certifies that this regulatory action will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601-12. This regulatory action affects only individuals and will
not affect any small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b),
this regulatory action is exempt from the initial and final flexibility
analysis requirements of sections 603 and 604.
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts;
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a
``significant regulatory action,'' which requires review by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB), as ``any regulatory action that is
likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way
the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs,
the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal
governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user
fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
this Executive Order.''
The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy
implications of this regulatory action have been examined, and it has
been determined to be a significant regulatory action under Executive
Order 12866.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for
this rule are 64.012 Veterans Prescription Service and 64.019 Veterans
Rehabilitation-Alcohol and Drug Dependence.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R.
Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this
document on February 5, 2013, for publication.
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 1
Administrative practice and procedure, Archives and records,
Cemeteries, Claims, Courts, Crime, Flags, Freedom of Information,
Government employees, Government property, Infants and children,
Inventions and patents, Parking, Penalties, Privacy, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, Security measures,
Wages.
Dated: February 6, 2013.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA amends 38 CFR part 1 as
follows:
PART 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), and as noted in specific sections.
0
2. Section 1.483 is added immediately following the undesignated center
heading ``Disclosures Without Patient Consent'' to read as follows:
Sec. 1.483 Disclosure of information to participate in state
prescription drug monitoring programs.
Information covered by Sec. Sec. 1.460 through 1.499 of this part
may be disclosed to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
pursuant to the
[[Page 9593]]
limitations set forth in Sec. 1.515 of this part.
0
3. Section 1.515 is redesignated as Sec. 1.523 and a new Sec. 1.515
is added to read as follows:
Sec. 1.515 Disclosure of information to participate in state
prescription drug monitoring programs.
(a) General. Information covered by Sec. Sec. 1.500 through 1.527
of this part may be disclosed to State Prescription Drug Monitoring
Programs pursuant to the limitations set forth in paragraph (c) of this
section.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
Controlled substance means any substance identified in 21 CFR part
1308 as a schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substance.
State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) means a State
controlled substance monitoring program, including a program approved
by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 399O of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3).
(c) Participation in PDMPs. VA may disclose to PDMPs any of the
following information concerning the prescription of controlled
substances:
(1) Demographic information of veterans and dependents of veterans
who are prescribed a controlled substance. Examples include name,
address, and telephone number.
(2) Information about the prescribed controlled substances.
Examples include the identification of the substance by a national drug
code number, quantity dispensed, number of refills ordered, whether the
substances were dispensed as a refill of a prescription or as a first-
time request, and date of origin of the prescription.
(3) Prescriber information. Examples include the prescriber's
United States Drug Enforcement Administration-issued identification
number authorizing the individual to prescribe controlled substances
and United States Department of Health and Human Services-issued
National Provider Identifier number.
(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a; 38 U.S.C. 5701, 7332; 45 CFR 164.512(b))
[FR Doc. 2013-03001 Filed 2-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P