The Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) helps doctors and pharmacists make safer choices when treating patients. It shows them a patient’s history of controlled substance prescriptions. This supports better care while helping prevent misuse, abuse, and illegal use of prescription drugs.
PMP Overview
The Iowa PMP operates in three main ways:
What is reported?
All Schedule II–V controlled substances dispensed to patients
All prescriptions and administrations of opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone)
As of May 12, 2021, all over-the-counter (nonprescription) Schedule V medications (e.g., codeine cough syrups)
Who reports the data?
Iowa-licensed pharmacies (both in-state and out-of-state)
Dispensing prescribers
Any first responders, prescribers, or pharmacies that administer or dispense opioid antagonists
When is data reported?
By the next regular business day after the drug is dispensed or administered
The PMP uses strong data security protections. Only approved users can access the data. Personal health information is kept private and safe.
Who can access the PMP?
Practitioners who are directly involved in a patient’s care
Practitioners’ authorized delegates (such as nurses or pharmacy technicians)
Law enforcement, only with a valid court order or subpoena as part of an official investigation of a specific person
Authorizing Delegate Access
Practitioners may authorize delegates to access PMP information on their behalf
Only individuals who are credentialed healthcare professionals and who are directly involved in patient care (nurses, etc.) can be authorized as a delegate
A practitioner is limited to no more than 30 delegates
The practitioner is responsible for the PMP access of the delegates
Patient Request for PMP Information
Patients can ask for a copy of their PMP report by submitting the form linked below:
The Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal includes PMP data adjusted by population. You can explore yearly totals and summary data. The portal offers interactive tables and maps with filters by age, gender, county, and medication type.
For help with technical issues, contact Bamboo Health (formerly Appriss Health) at 844.442.4767.
For general questions about the Iowa PMP, contact the Board of Pharmacy at 515.380.7392 or email pmp@iowa.gov.
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the PMP offer statewide PMP integration at no cost for Iowa prescribers and pharmacists. This is funded by an Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant from the CDC.
Access PMP data directly through your electronic health record (EHR) or pharmacy management system (PMS)
No need to log in separately to the PMP AWARxE site
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy appoints members to the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee. The committee was created in 2006 to advise and support the Board of Pharmacy. Together, they manage the PMP and adopt rules for its operation.
A pharmacist
A physician
A nurse practitioner
A physician assistant
A dentist
A veterinarian
A PMP delegate
A law enforcement officer or other investigative user
A public member not registered with the PMP
Dr. Anthony Miller, Iowa City
Julie Sarcone, ARNP, West Des Moines
Matt Arnold, PharmD, Bettendorf
Dr. Yulia Johnson, DO, Indianola
Dr. Ann Eike, DVM, Stanley
Officer Mike VanFossen, Altoona
Larry Newman, ARNP, North Liberty
Protecting patient, prescriber, and pharmacy confidentiality
Supporting the doctor-patient relationship
Promoting best practices in prescribing and dispensing
Evaluating the program’s benefits and costs
Ensuring patient rights are protected
PMP Frequently Asked Questions
Iowa’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) tracks controlled substance prescriptions to support safe prescribing, prevent misuse, and help healthcare professionals make informed treatment decisions.
What is the PMP? The Iowa PMP collects records of Schedule II through V controlled substances dispensed by Iowa-licensed pharmacies and prescribers. It helps healthcare providers make informed treatment decisions and find possible misuse or abuse of prescription drugs.
Who manages the PMP? The Iowa Board of Pharmacy oversees the PMP in partnership with the PMP Advisory Committee.
What is the PMP Advisory Committee? This committee guides the PMP’s mission and operations. It includes healthcare professionals, a law enforcement representative, and a member of the public. Members serve three-year terms.
What does the Advisory Committee do? The committee ensures patient privacy, supports safe prescribing practices, recommends improvements, and protects civil liberties.
How is prescription data kept confidential? Access is limited to verified, registered users. Users must submit license and DEA information and agree to strict terms of use. The PMP uses secure systems to protect all data.
What law authorizes the PMP? The PMP operates under Iowa Code sections 124.550–124.558.
Can I opt out of having my prescriptions in the PMP? No. Iowa law requires all controlled substance prescriptions be reported to the PMP. There is no opt-out option.
What kind of information does the PMP store? It includes records of all Schedule II–V prescriptions, including over-the-counter Schedule V products and naloxone.
Who submits data to the PMP? All Iowa-licensed pharmacies and dispensing prescribers must report. This includes any provider who dispenses or administers opioid antagonists like naloxone.
Does the PMP limit a patient’s access to prescription drugs? No. The PMP is not intended to restrict patients from getting the medication they need. It’s a clinical tool that gives providers more information to make safe, informed decisions.
Is PMP data used to identify inappropriate prescribing? Not directly. Regulatory agencies can ask for PMP data during an investigation if they have a subpoena, warrant, or court order based on probable cause.
Who must register for the PMP? All Iowa practitioners (except veterinarians and researchers) with a Controlled Substances Act (CSA) registration must register for the PMP when applying or renewing their license. Iowa pharmacists involved in patient care must register at the time of licensure or renewal.
Where do I register for the PMP? Visit https://iowa.pmpaware.net/login to register.
Is there a cost to register for the PMP? No. PMP registration is free.
Do I need to renew my PMP registration? No. Once registered, you don’t need to renew your PMP account.
I’m licensed but don’t have a DEA number. Can I register? Yes. Register under the role “Prescriber–Institution Affiliate/No Independent DEA Number.” You must provide your institution’s DEA number and a unique identifier they assign you (like a CLP or NPI number).
I’m a medical resident using my hospital’s DEA and CSA numbers. Can I register? Yes. Choose “Medical Resident with Prescriptive Authority” when registering. Provide your institution’s DEA number and your assigned suffix.
I forgot my PMP password. What should I do? Go to https://iowa.pmpaware.net/login and click “Reset Password.” Enter the email address linked to your account, and you’ll receive a link to set a new password.
I no longer have access to the email on my account, and my password expired. What now? Contact a PMP administrator at 515.380.7392 or email pmp@iowa.gov.
How do I reactivate my PMP account? Contact a PMP administrator at the phone number or email above to restore your access.
Can I view prescription data from other states? Yes. When you make a patient request, scroll to “PMP InterConnect Search” and select the states you want to include. You can also set default states under your profile.
Can I search for prescriptions dispensed using my DEA number? Yes. After logging in, go to “Menu,” then “MyRx” under “RxSearch.” You can select a date range to view prescriptions linked to your DEA number.
Which prescriptions must be reported to the PMP? Any prescription for controlled substances (Schedules II–V), over-the-counter Schedule V products, and opioid antagonists like naloxone must be reported.
What information must be included when reporting a prescription? Include the dispenser and prescriber DEA numbers, drug name, quantity, dates, patient info (name, address, DOB, gender), payment method, and whether the prescription is new or a refill.
When do I have to submit prescription data? Submit the data by the next business day after dispensing or administration.
Should hospitals report prescriptions given to inpatients? No. Prescriptions given during inpatient hospital care do not need to be reported.
When is PMP reporting not required? Reporting is not required for inpatient hospital care, patients in hospice or long-term care, or for in-office use during procedures.
Who is exempt from reporting to the PMP? Exemptions include pharmacies not dispensing in Iowa, veterinarians, hospice facilities, and narcotic treatment programs regulated under federal law.
Can unlicensed staff (like a receptionist) register as a PMP delegate? No. Only licensed or certified healthcare professionals may register. Clerical or administrative staff are not eligible.
Who can register as a delegate? Examples include nurses, certified medical assistants, radiologic techs, paramedics, counselors, pharmacist interns, and techs.
If I work under multiple prescribers, should I register under each one? Yes. You must register under each prescriber you help and select the correct one when conducting a search.
Can I run a report for a prescriber who hasn’t approved me as a delegate? No. You can only access PMP data for prescribers who have approved you.
How do I add another supervisor? Log in to PMP, go to Menu > My Profile, and add the supervisor’s email under the Supervisors section.
Can a delegate run patient searches on my behalf? Yes, but they must use their own account. Delegates cannot log in using your credentials.
Can I have more than one delegate? Yes. You may approve multiple qualified delegates. You’re responsible for any PMP activity done under your supervision.
How do I approve a delegate? Log in to PMP, go to Menu > Delegate Management, click the pending delegate, and select Approve.
How do I reject or remove a delegate? In Delegate Management, select the delegate and choose Remove or Reject to disconnect them.
Can I see which patients my delegates have searched? Yes. Go to Menu > Requests History. The Requestor column shows who ran each search.
What is a PAR? A PAR summarizes your Schedule II–V prescribing over six months, compared to peers in your specialty.
Why does the Board provide these reports? To help you understand and improve your prescribing habits by comparing with your peers.
How will I receive the report? You’ll get an email when the report is available in your PMP account.
How often are reports sent? About every three months.
Is the report confidential? Yes. It is private and cannot be used in legal actions.
What is a Proactive Patient Alert or Threshold Report? A notification that one of your patients may be receiving controlled substances from multiple sources.
What’s the difference between a PAR and a Threshold Report? PAR shows your prescribing history. Threshold Reports notify you of potential patient overuse.
Who sets the criteria for these alerts? The Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the PMP Advisory Committee.
Do I have to act on a Threshold Report? No. Use your judgment. The alert is for your awareness.
Can I opt out of receiving alerts? No. These alerts are part of the PMP’s legal responsibilities to help support patient safety.
PMP Annual Report to the Governor and Iowa Legislature
