News & Events

August 3, 2026 - The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center (PDMP TTAC)  at the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is updating the website (www.pdmpassist.org) and releasing new modules over the next few months.  The first in the series of website enhancements was released on August 3, 2026.  The News & Events section will provide information relevant to PDMP staff and administrators, as well as related stakeholders, including proposed and final rules and regulations and updates from federal agencies, as well as upcoming meetings, conferences, and events that are of interest to PDMP stakeholders. New information will be posted as it is made available.  If there is new information you know of that you would like to see posted, please contact PDMP TTAC at pdmpassist@iir.com.

As of June 8, 2026 the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has released notification of all awards of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY25 Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The 19 awards totals $33,695,418 over the award period, with a maximum award amount of $2,000,000 per jurisdiction. 

August 3, 2026 - The National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities (NASCSA, https://nascsa.org/ ) is holding the 42nd annual conference at Portland, Maine from October 26-29., 2026.  To register online, make hotel reservations, and to view additional information about the conference, select Learn More.

August 3, 2026 – The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy released an update to their Model Prescription Monitoring Program Act. This is typically updated and published each August.  To read the Act, select Learn More

In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing, beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.

August 3, 2026 - The American Society of Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP, https://asapnet.org) is in the process of soliciting recommendations for the next version of the ASAP 5.x reporting standard.  The last Implementation Guide ASAP Standard for Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs version 5.0 was released in 2023.  On June 16, 2026 BIll Lockwood, Executive Director of ASAP, presented a Town Hall hosted by PDMP TTAC to present current suggestions for the next version.  PDMP administrators may submit recommendations or comments to Bill Lockwood (wal@computertalk.com), PDMP TTAC (pdmpassist@iir.com), or to post suggestions on PDMP PULSE.  After all recommendations are submitted, ASAP will schedule stakeholder meetings in November to include PDMP administrators and pharmacy software vendors and chains to discuss suggested changes for the next version of the reporting standard.  

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

August 3, 2026 – The American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP, https://asapnet.org) is holding the 2027 annual conference at Amelia Island, Florida from January 13-15, 2027.  To register online, make hotel reservations, and to view additional information about the conference, select Learn More.

On May 20, 2026 the Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Document Citation 91 FR 29407). The Summary Reads, “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulation that governs disclosure of information to and querying of State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). The rule would clarify certain statutory definitions, including the definition of delegate and licensed health care provider. In doing so, VA would eliminate confusion as to who VA would allow to query the PDMP and would better protect these individuals from any possible adverse action by a State, as long as they are acting within the scope of their VA employment or, if applicable, scope of their contract. The rule would also mandate that VA disclose the specified information to State PDMPs to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines. This proposed rule would promote safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances to covered individuals and patients who receive VA health care.”. Public Comments must be received by July 20, 2026.