OARRS EARLY INTERVENTION

The OARRS Early Intervention Unit (the OEI Unit) works to reduce prescription drug misuse in Ohio by using OARRS data to identify, analyze, and investigate instances of deception to obtain a dangerous drug. The OEI Unit works cooperatively with Ohio prosecutors and law enforcement to use deflection to intervene and provide individuals with resources and a path toward substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment.

The OEI Unit also: (1) Promotes the proper use of OARRS by educating pharmacists and prescribers; (2) Provides guidance to pharmacists on the importance of performing prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR); (3) Identifies violations of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code regarding the practice of pharmacy and/or medicine and initiates cases or makes referral to the respective licensing Board; and (4) Participates in local overdose and suicide fatality review committees.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy OARRS EI Program was started in 2018 and is a deflection program specifically designed to work with individuals who have violated Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2925.22 – Deception to Obtain a Dangerous Drug. The program engages those individuals to limit their overutilization of the healthcare system and/or connect them with appropriate drug treatment or other support services.

While an individual is in the program, OBP Agents monitor compliance with the prescription medication requirements as well as the treatment recommendations by keeping in contact with counselors, prescribers, and monitoring OARRS. Additionally, OBP Agents will work to connect participants to local support organizations who can help provide wrap around services when needed.

For more information about the Early Intervention Program, click here.

ORC Section 2913.01 defines the word “deception” as the following:

Deception means knowingly deceiving another or causing another to be deceived by any false or misleading representation, by withholding information, by preventing another from acquiring information, or by any other conduct, act, or omission that creates, confirms, or perpetuates a false impression in another, including a false impression as to law, value, state of mind, or other objective or subjective fact.

The most common form of deception comes in the form of “doctor shopping,” which is when an individual fraudulently obtains controlled substances from multiple health care providers. Those identified to be “doctor shoppers” may be eligible for a deferred prosecution agreement dependent on several factors, including having a zero or minimal criminal history background, an agreement by the county of jurisdiction, and willingness of the participant to engage in the process.

Counties across Ohio have developed or are developing Overdose Fatality Review and Suicide Fatality Review committees run by public health departments. These meetings help communities identify what services are needed or what touchpoints were missed that may help prevent overdoses and/or suicides in their area. Board of Pharmacy Agents attend these meetings at the county’s request and also review OARRS for those fatalities and provide pertinent information for the committee to consider, such as prescribed medications, involvement in MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) and/or MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder), pain management, psychiatric treatment, diagnosis codes, and more.

The Board of Pharmacy has three agents in charge of the Early Intervention Program:

• Agent Leslie Arnold (Regional Agent in Charge)
• Agent William “Trey” Edwards
• Agent Kelly Monce

Please note that other Board of Pharmacy agents may fill in as Early Intervention Agents for short periods of time. If you would like to verify a Board of Pharmacy agent is contacting you regarding OARRS Early Intervention, call the main Board of Pharmacy number at (614) 466-4143 or email us at contact@pharmacy.ohio.gov.

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