Working Together to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse and Overdose Deaths

CURES Action Team
Priority Area III:
Tracking, Monitoring, and Data Exchange

Key Objective 6:
Promote increased utilization of the statewide Prescription Drug Monitor Program (PDMP) in California, known as the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), in order to decrease misuse and diversion of prescription drugs


Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) are secure statewide electronic databases that allow health care providers to access a patient’s controlled substance history at the point of patient care. The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) in California is designed to identify and deter drug abuse and fraud without affecting legitimate medical practice and patient care. Through CURES, health care providers can identify possible patterns of controlled substance abuse (e.g., doctor shopping) and enhance their prescribing decisions in combating prescription drug abuse.


While CURES registration will be mandatory starting in 2016, actual utilization of the CURES is not required and will depend on provider discretion. As such, the CURES Action Team will work with the Data Collection Action Team to:

  • Identify high prescribers and engage them in trainings and discussions around the potential benefits of CURES, as well as safe prescribing guidelines.

  • Explore opportunities to increase system-wide CURES utilization in County health departments, health plans, and other large provider groups.

  • Explore opportunities to facilitate sharing of data related to prescription drug abuse, such as through an Emergency Department Information Exchange (EDIE), in order to effectively coordinate care and interventions to reduce overprescribing, misuse, and diversion.

SMART Goals:

-  Change current CA state law to allow CURES to interface directly with the Emergency Department Information Exchange (EDIE) and Health

   Information Exchanges (HIE).
-  Obtain support from CalACEP Board of Directors to change current CA state law re: CURES interfacing with EDIE/HIE.Change current CA state

   law to allow CURES to interface directly with the Emergency Department Information Exchange (EDIE) and Health Information Exchanges (HIE).
-  Obtain support from CalACEP Board of Directors to change current CA state law re: CURES interfacing with EDIE/HIE.

CURES Action Team

Lead:  Maureen McCollough, MD