Synthetic North Carolina Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data, 2009-2013 (ICPSR 36052)

Version Date: Dec 12, 2017

Cite this study |

Principal Investigator(s):
Chris Ringwalt, University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center

https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36052.v1

Version V1

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Summary

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

The misuse, abuse and diversion of controlled substances have reached epidemic proportion in the United States. Contributing to this problem are providers who over-prescribe these substances. The researchers in this study developed a series of metrics to identify providers manifesting unusual prescribing practices using one state's prescription monitoring program.

The collection includes 1 Excel data file with 10,000 cases and 13 variables (2015_NC_PDMP_Synthetic_Data_Set.xlsx).

Users should note the included data file is a synthetic dataset constructed with the same variance and distributions as the original data.

Citation

Ringwalt, Chris. Synthetic North Carolina Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data, 2009-2013. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2017-12-12. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36052.v1

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Funding

United States Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. National Institute of Justice (2012-R2-CX-0002)

Subject Terms

Geographic Coverage

Smallest Geographic Unit

None.

Restrictions

Access to these data is restricted. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reasons for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research.

Distributor(s)

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
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Time Period(s)

2009 -- 2013

Date of Collection

2013

Data Collection Notes

  1. These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

  2. Users should note the included data file is a synthetic dataset constructed with the same variance and distributions as the original data.

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Study Purpose

The purpose of the study was to develop a set of metrics to identify prescription drug providers with unusual or uncustomary prescribing practices and how these metrics can be used to mitigate the misuse, abuse, and diversion of controlled substances.

Study Design

Researchers secured a copy of North Carolina's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data for the years 2009-2013 inclusive, after all patient-level data were de-identified. Provider and dispenser names also were removed from the dataset. The dataset received from the PDMP vendor required extensive cleaning and variable creation (see SAMPLING). After consulting with multiple state agencies, the researchers developed the following metrics:

  • identifying providers writing high numbers of prescriptions for high doses of opioids (greater than 100 morphine milligram equivalents)
  • identifying providers who consistently provide high levels of opioids that fall below this threshold to identify those who may seek to avoid detection
  • searching for providers who wrote multiple prescriptions for various classes of controlled substances regardless of dose (paying particular attention to those who co-prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines)
  • identifying providers who wrote high numbers of overlapping prescriptions (defined as a prescription written more than seven days before the expiration date of an earlier prescription for the same class of controlled substance)
  • examining patients manifesting unusual behaviors in regards to filling prescriptions for controlled substances
  • examining providers of multiple patients who traveled long distances from their homes either to secure prescriptions from their providers or fill these prescriptions at distant pharmacies
  • identifying providers of patients who visited multiple providers or pharmacies to secure or fill controlled substances

Sample

After Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data was received, records with non-controlled substances and incomplete data were removed. All DEA numbers for pharmacies that were duplicated (presumably in error) were removed from the prescriber field. Records with Schedule V drugs were also removed due to having the least potential for abuse among the other legal controlled substances. Prescription drugs used to treat opioid addiction and controlled substances dispensed in vials were also excluded from the final data set.

Time Method

Cross-sectional

Universe

Data collected by the North Carolina Controlled Substances Reporting System from dispensers on each controlled substance dispensed in Schedule II-V.

Unit(s) of Observation

Prescription

Data Source

North Carolina Controlled Substance Reporting System

Data Type(s)

Mode of Data Collection

Description of Variables

This study contains one excel data set. The data file (2015_NC_PDMP_Synthetic_Data_Set.xlsx, n=10,000, 13 variables) includes a unique ID variable, deidentified dates of when the prescription was dispensed and written, a calculated date of when the prescription can be refilled, formulation of drug as patch versus non-patch, pharmaceutical class of drug, daily dose of opiate medications in morphine milligram equivalents (mme), and total mme in the prescription (deidentified). The file also includes deidentified distances of patient to pharmacy and patient to prescriber, as well as Pharmacy ID, Prescriber ID, and Patient (recipient) ID.

Response Rates

Not applicable.

Presence of Common Scales

None.

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Original Release Date

2017-12-12

Version History

2018-02-15 The citation of this study may have changed due to the new version control system that has been implemented. The previous citation was:
  • Ringwalt, Chris. Synthetic North Carolina Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data, 2009-2013. ICPSR36052-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2017-12-12. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR36052.v1
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Weight

None.

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Notes

  • These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

  • The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.

  • One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.