--- title: "What Is a PDMP? Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs" description: "A PDMP is a state database of controlled substance prescriptions that prescribers check. How PDMP checks reach telehealth, and how Cuvo Health operates." canonical: "https://cuvo.co/glossary/prescription-drug-monitoring-program" last-updated: "Oct 26, 2026" --- **Definition:** A prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is a state electronic database of dispensed controlled substance prescriptions, which authorized prescribers and pharmacists use to review a patient's controlled substance history before prescribing or dispensing. # What is a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)? Every controlled substance a pharmacy dispenses lands in a state database that prescribers can search before they write the next one. For a telehealth program, those databases are part of the controlled substance rulebook, and DEA's own telemedicine rules now name them. Cuvo Health runs controlled substance prescribing only where state and federal rules permit, with every prescriber's DEA registration verified. Published Oct 26, 2026. Facts reviewed Oct 26, 2026. A prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is a state electronic database of controlled substance prescriptions. CDC describes it as an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions in a state, and notes that when pharmacists dispense controlled substances, they enter the prescription into the state PDMP. Prescribers query it to see a patient's recent controlled substance history before prescribing, and each state sets its own rules on access and on when a check is required. For telehealth, PDMP review is written into DEA's 2025 buprenorphine telemedicine rule and its special registration proposal. On Cuvo Health, controlled substances are prescribed only where state and federal rules permit, by providers whose DEA registration Cuvo verifies. **At a glance** - What it is: A state database of dispensed controlled substance prescriptions - Who uses it: Prescribers and pharmacists, under each state's access rules - Federal telehealth link: 21 CFR 1306.51 requires a PDMP review for buprenorphine by telemedicine - Proposed: DEA's January 2025 special registration proposal would require multistate checks - On Cuvo: Controlled substances prescribed only where state and federal rules permit **Where PDMP checks appear in federal telemedicine rules** | Rule | Status (Oct 26, 2026) | PDMP requirement | | --- | --- | --- | | **Buprenorphine by telemedicine (21 CFR 1306.51)** | In effect since December 31, 2025 | Review the patient's state PDMP for the past year before prescribing, and record the date and time | | **Special registration proposal (90 FR 6541)** | Final rule under review at OIRA, not published | Check the patient's state, the prescriber's state and reciprocity states; nationwide after three years | | **Temporary flexibilities (21 CFR 1307.41)** | In effect through December 31, 2026 | None among the rule's four conditions | ## 01. Why does a PDMP matter for a telehealth brand? A brand that prescribes testosterone or another controlled substance is prescribing into the system PDMPs watch. CDC recommends that clinicians review a patient's controlled substance history in the state PDMP before starting opioid therapy, and ideally before every opioid prescription. States decide whether and when a check is mandatory for other drugs and prescribers, and a telehealth program that sells into many states meets many sets of PDMP rules at once. The temporary DEA telemedicine rule adds no PDMP condition of its own, so state law decides through December 31, 2026. ## 02. What do DEA's telemedicine rules say about PDMPs? The buprenorphine telemedicine rule, published on January 17, 2025 (90 FR 6504) and in effect since December 31, 2025, requires the prescriber to review the PDMP data of the state where the patient is located for the past year before prescribing, and to note the review in the record; if the PDMP is unavailable, the prescriber may issue a seven-day supply and must try again before the next one (21 CFR 1306.51). The special registration proposal would go further: checks of the patient's state, the prescriber's state and any reciprocity state, and after three years a check of every state and territory PDMP. Its final text may differ. ## 03. How is a PDMP different from EPCS? EPCS is how a controlled prescription is sent; a PDMP is where the dispensed prescription is recorded and later looked up. EPCS rules govern the prescriber's software and credentials under 21 CFR Part 1311, while PDMPs are state programs fed by pharmacies. A compliant controlled substance workflow involves both, together with a DEA-registered prescriber. ## 04. How does Cuvo handle controlled substance prescribing? Every provider is credentialed against primary sources, including DEA registration, before a first visit. Controlled substances are prescribed only where state and federal rules permit, through EPCS on Grow, Enterprise and Cuvo Prescribe, and DEA and telehealth rule tracking is included on every plan. Cuvo's 50-state regulatory monitoring applies state prescribing rule changes inside the platform, so routing and prescribing rules stay current without the brand reading a board bulletin. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What is a PDMP?** A: A PDMP is a state electronic database of controlled substance prescriptions; pharmacies enter what they dispense, and authorized prescribers and pharmacists review a patient's history before prescribing or dispensing. On Cuvo, controlled substances are prescribed only where state and federal rules permit, by DEA-verified prescribers. **Q: What is a PDMP check?** A: A PDMP check is a prescriber's or pharmacist's query of the state database for a patient's recent controlled substance prescriptions, made before prescribing or dispensing; each state sets when one is required. On Cuvo, 50-state regulatory monitoring applies state prescribing rule changes inside the platform. **Q: Do telehealth providers have to check the PDMP?** A: It depends on the drug and the state: DEA's buprenorphine telemedicine rule requires a review of the patient's state PDMP, the temporary flexibilities through December 31, 2026 add no PDMP condition, and state law sets its own requirements. On Cuvo, controlled substances are prescribed only where state and federal rules permit. **Q: PDMP vs EPCS: what is the difference?** A: EPCS is the DEA-regulated way a controlled prescription is sent electronically; a PDMP is the state database where dispensed controlled prescriptions are recorded and reviewed. On Cuvo, EPCS is included on Grow, Enterprise and Cuvo Prescribe. **Q: Would the DEA special registration rule require PDMP checks?** A: The January 2025 proposal would require checks of the patient's state, the prescriber's state and reciprocity states, and a nationwide check after three years; the final rule had not been published as of October 26, 2026. On Cuvo, DEA rule tracking is included on every plan, so prescribing rules follow the rule in force. **Related pages** - [DEA telemedicine flexibilities in 2026](/blog/dea-telemedicine-flexibilities-2026): The buprenorphine rule and the temporary flexibilities - [DEA special registration for telemedicine](/glossary/dea-special-registration-telemedicine): The proposal's PDMP requirements - [EPCS](/glossary/epcs): How controlled prescriptions are sent - [Controlled substance schedules](/glossary/controlled-substance-schedules): Which drugs PDMPs track - [Cuvo compliance](/compliance): DEA rule tracking and 50-state monitoring - [Telehealth glossary](/glossary): Every term a telehealth founder meets Canonical page: https://cuvo.co/glossary/prescription-drug-monitoring-program