NJ Prescription Monitoring Program

The New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program (NJPMP) is an important component of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' (Division) effort to halt the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.

The NJPMP, established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-45 et. seq., is a statewide database that collects prescription data on Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and gabapentin dispensed in outpatient settings in New Jersey, and by out-of-State pharmacies dispensing into New Jersey.

Access to the NJPMP is granted to prescribers and pharmacists who are licensed by the State of New Jersey and are in good standing with their respective licensing boards. Registered prescribers may delegate their authority to access the NJPMP to certain other healthcare professionals.

Patient information in the NJPMP is intended to help prescribers and pharmacists provide better-informed patient care. The information will help supplement patient evaluations, confirm patient drug histories, and document compliance with therapeutic regimens. When prescribers, delegates, or pharmacists identify a patient as potentially having an issue of concern regarding drug use, they are encouraged to help the patient locate assistance and take any other action the prescriber or pharmacist deems appropriate.

The NJPMP also serves as an effective tool for identifying those who fraudulently obtain prescription drugs or are otherwise involved in the criminal diversion of prescription medication.

The information reported to and made available through the NJPMP will help detect individuals who may be "doctor shopping" – visiting multiple prescribers to obtain prescriptions for the same medications that they then have filled at different pharmacies to obtain more of the prescribed substance than any one physician or pharmacist would allow.

The NJPMP will also aid in detecting "pill mills" – a prescriber's office, clinic, or other healthcare facility that regularly colludes in the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances outside the scope of the prevailing standards of care, and in violation of New Jersey law on the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.

The facts and statistics about prescription drug abuse are staggering:

• In 2018, New Jersey saw 89,727 treatment admissions and 87,531 discharges reported to the Department of Health (“DOH”), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (“DMHAS”) by substance abuse treatment providers. In addition, 50 percent of all admissions for substance abuse treatment in New Jersey were for opiates and 40 percent received medication assisted treatment. Prescription drug abuse-related emergency department visits and treatment admissions have also risen significantly in recent years, according to statewide statistics.


• Every day, 130 Americans die from an overdose caused by prescription painkiller abuse, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sadly, there has been a steady increase in the amount of overdose deaths in New Jersey. Between 2014 and 2015, drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 22 percent, and nearly 1,600 people lost their lives to narcotics in New Jersey. Unfortunately, in 2016, the number of individuals who died as a result of drug overdoses escalated to over 2,221, an increase of almost 40 percent from the previous years. In 2017 drug overdose deaths in New Jersey increased by nearly 14 percent, reaching an unfortunate milestone in 2018 with more than 3,000 overdoses.


• Two in five teenagers mistakenly believe prescription drugs are "much safer" than illegal drugs, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and three in ten teens mistakenly believe prescription painkillers are not addictive.


• In June 2011, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation reported that a growing number of young people are abusing prescription drugs, and noted a significant trend in which the practice has led to increases, not only in the number of young people addicted to painkillers, but to the number of young people using heroin as well.


• In addition to the dangers to public health and safety, the illegal use of prescription drugs costs the insurance industry up to $72.5 billion annually. These costs affect consumers through higher insurance rates and increased co-pays.


• The abuse of prescription drugs also adds to the costs of medical care through increased emergency room visits and additional pressure on hospitals and their staff.

Consumers can learn the best ways to dispose of unused medications, and to keep medications safe within their homes, at our Project Medicine Drop website. Project Medicine Drop offers members of the public the opportunity to dispose of their unused and expired prescription medications safely and securely, with participating municipal police departments. New Jerseyans can dispose of medications anonymously, seven days a week, 365 days a year, at any Project Medicine Drop location.

Individuals seeking additional information about prescription drug abuse – including ways to talk with their family members about the dangers of drug abuse, and information for those struggling with addiction – can find it at our Useful Links page.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-45 et. seq., direct access to the NJPMP is limited to prescribers, delegates and pharmacists who are licensed by the State of New Jersey, are in good standing with their respective licensing boards, and who have registered with Bamboo Health, the private vendor contracted to maintain the NJPMP, via the NJPMP site; the NJPMP Administrator and certain other authorized personnel of the Division, including designated representatives of the State licensing boards that regulate the practice of persons authorized to prescribe or dispense CDS or HGH or gabapentin; and authorized representatives of Bamboo Health.

The Division may grant access to data from the NJPMP to Federal, State, municipal law enforcement officers, designated representatives of a State Medicaid program, the State Medical Examiner, or county medical examiner who are acting pursuant to a court order and who certify they are engaged in a bona fide investigation of a designated practitioner, pharmacist or a patient. The Division may also grant access to NJPMP data if required by a grand jury subpoena.

The Division is required to provide certain NJPMP data, including prescriber-, delegate-, pharmacist-, and/or patient-identifying information, to law enforcement agencies or professional licensing boards, if the Division determines a prescriber, delegate, pharmacist, or patient may have violated the law or committed a breach of prescriber's, delegate's, or pharmacist's standards of practice. The Division also may provide NJPMP data – not including patient-identifying information – to public or private entities for statistical, research, or educational purposes

The Division, and its private contractor, keep NJPMP patient information strictly confidential, in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules.

Prescribers, delegates, and pharmacists authorized to access the NJPMP, must certify before each search that they are seeking data solely for the purpose of providing healthcare to new or current patients. Authorized users agree that they will not provide access to the NJPMP to any other individuals, including members of their staff.

A prescriber, delegate, or pharmacist who accesses or discloses NJPMP information for any purpose other than providing healthcare to a current patient or verifying the NJPMP's record of prescriptions issued by the prescriber, or who allows any other individuals to access the NJPMP using the prescriber's, delegate's, or pharmacist's own access codes, is subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each offense and disciplinary action by the prescriber's, delegate's pharmacist's professional licensing board.

Any individual who suspects that another individual or entity has accessed or disclosed patient information in violation of the NJPMP Statute, NJPMP Regulations, or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules, should immediately contact the NJPMP Administrator at NJPMP@dca.lps.state.nj.us or call the Division at (800) 242-5846.

The NJPMP database collects information only on the dispensing of drugs classified as CDS, HGH or gabapentin. The NJPMP does not collect data on any other drugs.

Pharmacies must submit data to the NJPMP daily.

Pharmacies must report specific information on all transactions for prescriptions of Schedule II, III, IV, and V Dangerous Substances (CDS) as well as Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and gabapentin. The information must be entered via the secure NJPMP website and must include, among other things: the patient's full name and date of birth; the permit number of the dispensing pharmacy; the date on which the drug was dispensed; the name, strength, and quantity of the drug dispensed; the estimated number of days the medication will last based on the maximum number of doses per day; whether the prescription is new or a refill; if a refill, the number of refills ordered; the National Drug Code of the drug dispensed, and the prescription number assigned by the pharmacy; the name and DEA registration number of the prescriber; the date the prescription was issued by the prescriber; and the method by which the patient paid for the medication.

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:45A-35.9, "...if a pharmacist has a reasonable belief that a patient may be seeking a controlled dangerous substance for any purpose other than the treatment of an existing medical condition, such as for purposes of misuse, abuse, or diversion, the pharmacist shall not dispense a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, any opioid, or a benzodiazepine drug that is a Schedule III or Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance to any person without first accessing the prescription monitoring information to determine if the person has received other prescriptions that indicate misuse, abuse, or diversion."

Before dispensing a prescribed drug, pharmacists are able to access the NJPMP website and request the Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and gabapentin history of the patient. The users must certify that they are seeking information for a specific, new or current patient.

When pharmacists identify a patient as potentially having an issue of concern regarding drug use, they are encouraged to help the patient locate assistance and take any other action the pharmacist deems appropriate

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:45A-35.9, a prescriber or the prescriber's delegate shall access prescription monitoring information for a new or current patient consistent with the following:

1. The first time the practitioner prescribes a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance or any opioid to a new or current patient for acute or chronic pain; and


2. The first time the practitioner prescribes a benzodiazepine drug that is a Schedule III or Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance; and


3. If the practitioner has a reasonable belief that the person may be seeking a controlled dangerous substance, in whole or in part, for any purpose other than the treatment of an existing medical condition, such as for purposes of misuse, abuse, or diversion, the first time the practitioner or other person prescribes a non-opioid drug other than a benzodiazepine drug that is a Schedule III or Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance; and


4. Any time the practitioner prescribes a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance for acute or chronic pain to a patient receiving care or treatment in the emergency department of a general hospital;


5. On a quarterly basis (every three months) during the period of time a current patient continues to receive a prescription for a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance or for an opioid drug for acute or chronic pain, or for a benzodiazepine that is a Schedule III or Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance.

Before issuing a prescription or dispensing a prescribed drug, registered prescribers are able to access the NJPMP website and request the CDS and HGH prescription history of the patient. The users must certify that they are seeking information for a specific, new or current patient.

Patient information in the NJPMP is intended to supplement an evaluation of a patient, confirm a patient's drug history, and document compliance with a therapeutic regimen.

When prescribers identify a patient as potentially having an issue of concern regarding drug use, they are encouraged to help the patient locate assistance and take any other action the prescriber deems appropriate.

Prescribers registered with the NJPMP may delegate their authority to access the NJPMP to healthcare professionals who meet certain criteria and who must also register with the NJPMP.

Delegates are required to be licensed in the State of New Jersey as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, advanced practice nurse without prescriptive authority, physician assistant without prescriptive authority, athletic trainer who is employed at a clinical practice setting, dental hygienist, or registered dental assistant who has completed the requirements set forth at N.J.A.C. 13:45A-35.8. Medical and dental residents authorized by a faculty member from a medical or dental teaching facility may also be delegates.

Certified medical assistants (CMA) and medical scribes who meet requirements set forth at N.J.S.A. 45:1-44 may register as an unlicensed delegate. In order to register as an unlicensed delegate, CMAs must meet all requirements, as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:1-44, certify that they have completed the necessary training and provide a copy of the certificate of completion from a State-approved program. In order to register as an unlicensed delegate, CMAs must meet all requirements, as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:1-44, and certify that they have completed the necessary training and provide a copy of the certificate of completion from a State-approved program. The State currently recognizes the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or the American Medical Technologists (AMT), as valid for registering as a delegate.

Before delegates are able to access NJPMP data, they must register and be linked to a prescriber who is registered with the NJPMP. The prescriber will be responsible for supervising his or her delegate's activities.

Delegates may register with the NJPMP at https://newjersey.pmpaware.net/login. By clicking "Create an Account", the delegate may begin the registration process.

Delegates licensed in the State of New Jersey as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, advanced practice nurse without prescriptive authority, physician assistant without prescriptive authority, dental hygienist, or registered dental assistant may register with the NJPMP as a licensed delegate. Delegates registered with the State of New Jersey as a medical or dental resident will register with the NJPMP as a licensed delegate. Licensed delegates' credentials will be verified by comparison with information maintained by their licensing boards.

Delegates who are not licensed in the State of New Jersey, such as CMAs, will receive an email with a link to create a password and they will receive a registration form which will need to be verified, completed, signed, notarized, and uploaded to the NJPMP by the delegate. Instructions and reminders will be provided throughout this process. In order to register as an unlicensed delegate, CMAs must meet all requirements, as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:1-44, and certify that they have completed the necessary training and provide a copy of the certificate of completion from a State-approved program. The State currently recognizes the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or the American Medical Technologists (AMT), as valid for registering as a delegate.

Following completion of the initial process, an email will be sent to the delegate's supervising prescriber. The supervisor is required to review the information and any associated documents for completeness and approve the delegate's account. Delegates will not be able to access NJPMP data until they are approved by an active NJPMP prescriber  

For technical assistance, please contact the Bamboo Health help desk at (844) 465-4767.  For questions or issues related to your user registration or account, please email NJPMP@dca.lps.state.nj.us or call (973) 273-8010.

Under N.J.S.A. 45:1-46, supervisors are responsible for their delegates' use or misuse of the NJPMP by, and are responsible for providing oversight, of their delegates. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring compliance with the recordkeeping requirements, conducting a bi-annual audit, and verifying the education, training, licensure, or certification requirements for each delegate. The supervisor is also responsible for ensuring the delegate understands the limitations on disclosure of the prescription monitoring information, and the Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations concerning the confidentiality of patient information.

The supervisor who designates a delegate shall terminate the delegate's access to the NJPMP when a delegate, for any reason, is no longer authorized to be a delegate and notify the Division within five business days and submit supporting evidentiary documentation when he/she learns of any potential unauthorized use by a delegate of the NJPMP or prescription monitoring information.  

Supervisors may manage their delegates from the 'User Profile' tab located in the top right of the menu bar next to the 'Help' button within the NJPMP.

The information returned by the NJPMP reflects prescription data provided by the pharmacy that dispensed the patient's prescription. The prescription information is usually accurate, but there are times when discrepancies may occur. In the event that an error is identified by a NJPMP user, the NJPMP user should contact the pharmacy which dispensed the prescription to attempt to correct the error. Pharmacies are required to submit accurate prescription information and should correct the information as quickly as possible. If the issue does not appear to be resolved in a timely manner, the NJPMP user may contact the NJPMP via email at NJPMP@dca.lps.state.nj.us.