Vermont Prescription Monitoring System
Important Updates:
- 09/03/09 - Revised FAQ for Providers
- 09/01/09 - All Vermont licensed pharmacists may register to use the system to assist in patient care
- About the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System
- For Pharmacies and Related Dispensers
- Registration, Privacy and other Forms for Providers or Dispensers
- Additional Resources
- Statutes, Rules, and Reports
- Advisory Committee
- Contact Us
About the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System
The Department of Health established the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System ("VPMS" or "system"), as authorized in 2006 under Act 205.
When a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance is dispensed to an outpatient, a standard set of information about the patient, the prescriber, and the drug will be collected by the VPMS and maintained for six years on a secure, central database.
Information from the Prescription Monitoring System will be available to providers and pharmacists to help in their work to effectively manage their patients' treatment.
By maintaining complete and up-to-date information, providers will have access to a full history of their patient's prescriptions for controlled substances. Further, the system can alert a provider to possible abuse of - or addiction to - controlled substances.
Patients can request a report of their own records, but do not have direct access to the system. A patient for whom a prescription for a controlled substance is written may request information from the VPMS database relating to himself or herself. The request must be in writing, and the person must appear in-person, and produce a valid government-issued photographic proof of identify to receive the VPMS report.
Licensing Boards do not have direct access to the VPMS database. A representative of a professional board that is responsible for the licensure, regulation or discipline of health care providers or dispensers, may request information from the database relating to a licensee, pursuant to a bona fide specific investigation of that licensee.
Meeting a Critical Need
There is broad consensus within the substance abuse community and the VPMS Advisory Committee of the critical need for this resource. In our current health care system, patients often visit multiple providers, and can receive multiple prescriptions in an uncoordinated manner.
State and national reports indicate that the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is the fastest growing area of use and addiction, becoming a major problem among youth and young adults. Excluding alcohol, and after marijuana, prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused substances among every age group.
Online in 2009
The Vermont Department of Health launched the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS), on January 12, 2009. Pharmacies are required to report their controlled substance data retroactive to July 1, 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the Public
For Providers
Health Care Provider or Dispenser Registration Forms
Register to use the VPMS
If you are a licensed Vermont Health Care Provider or Dispenser and would like to register to use the VPMS, please fill out the following forms:
- Provider/Dispenser Registration Form
- Privacy Statement
- Delegate Request Registration Form
- Practioner's Training Guide
Log on to RxSentry
Prescribers/Dispensers already registered with VPMS:
- Log On to RxSentry here: https://vpmsph.hidinc.com
Technical Assistance
For technical assistance relating to accessing the system, including questions relating to your password or access code, please call the technical assistance line 800-225-6998 ext. 3048, or email vpms-info@hidinc.com
For Providers with Apple Computers:
For providers that cannot access the VPMS: The following link provides instructions and software that allows MAC users to run Windows applications (i.e., Internet Explorer). http://www.smalldog.com/windows
Professional Licensure Board Access Request Form
If you are a representative of a professional board that is responsible for the licensure, regulation or discipline of health care providers or dispensers, you may request data from VPMS pursuant to a bona fide specific investigation by filling out this form:
Individual Request Form
If you are a patient wishing to receive your own information from the VPMS relating to a controlled substance prescription, please fill out this form:
Pharmacies and Related Dispensers Licensed by the State
All Vermont licensed pharmacists may register to use the system to assist in patient care.
If you would like to register with the VPMS please fill out the Provider/Dispenser Registration and Privacy Statement forms to obtain your own access to the system.
Procedure Manual
A VPMS Procedure Manual is sent to each pharmacist and physician licensed by the State of Vermont.
The manual explains how to register for and access the VPMS database, including accessing the database directly using a web-portal. Providers who are registered, but do not have internet access, receive information about how to query and receive data from the VPMS.
RxSentry® Dispenser’s Implementation Guide
Health Information Designs (HID) will implement its RxSentry® System to meet the requirements for the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System for a database that acquires and maintains individual patient records of all Schedules II, III and IV drug dispensed by pharmacies licensed by the Vermont Board of Pharmacy.
The RxSentry® Dispenser’s Implementation Guide serves as a step-by-step implementation and training guide for dispensers to use RxSentry® as a repository for the reporting of their Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances.
View and download the RxSentry® Dispenser’s Implementation Guide.
Data Submission
Dispensers are required to report their data at least every seven (7) days. However, shorter intervals for submitting data are permitted and encouraged.
Pharmacies or software vendors were able to establish submission accounts beginning November 12, 2008. Dispensers must report controlled substance data retroactive to July 1, 2008. The deadline for reporting this data was March 31, 2009.
Notice to be Posted
Pharmacies must post the following notice:
This notice advises customers picking up a prescription for controlled substances, that the prescription information will be entered into the VPMS database. The rule directs pharmacies to "submit a Report of Controlled Substances Dispensed for each reportable prescription dispensed, beginning with data as of July 1, 2008 ( … )"
Additional Resources
- Status of State Drug Legislation (NAMSDL) - 12/07
- National Prescription Monitoring Program Activities - 12/07
- U.S. Map of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs
- Independently Owned Pharmacies in Rural America
- US Drug Enforcement Administration
- Vermont Board of Medical Practice
- Vermont Medical Society
Statutes, Rules, and Reports
Act 205 - Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (2006)
Legislative Reports
- 2008 Report (submitted January 2009) - 80 KB, 10 pages
- 2007 Report (submitted January 2008) - 6 pages
VPMS Advisory Committee
Fourteen individuals or organizations are members of the VPMS Advisory Committee, including representatives of the following:
- Appropriate licensure boards
- Consumers
- Drug and Alcohol treatment professionals
- Emergency Department physicians
- Pharmacists
- Retail pharmacies
- Vermont Attorney General
- Vermont Dental Society
- Vermont Department of Health
- Vermont Department of Public Safety
- Vermont Medical Society
- Vermont State Nurses Association
Contact Information
E-Mail: vpms@vdh.state.vt.us
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System
Vermont Department of Health
108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70
Burlington VT 05402-0070
Tel: (802) 652-4147
Fax: (802) 651-1573
Page updated 09/08/2009