In Continued Effort to Fight Opioid Abuse, Pennsylvania Department of Health Names Meghna Patel to Lead Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced that Meghna Patel, MHA, has been named director of the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Office.

"The Wolf Administration is committed to fighting the opioid and heroin overdose crisis in Pennsylvania, and the Department of Health is excited to have Ms. Patel lead this important office," said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. "She will ensure the PDMP meets its goal of assisting health care professionals in identifying patients that would benefit from treatment."

Patel will be responsible for developing and launching the PDMP online database that allows prescribers and dispensers of controlled substances to monitor who is obtaining opioids, who prescriptions are being obtained from, and how often they are prescribed. This critical online tool will support clinicians in identifying patients who may be struggling from the disease of addiction and help connect them with treatment services. 

The PDMP office also will be responsible for educating prescribers and dispensers about how to use the database and will continually identify ways to improve the tool and its reach. 

Before joining the department, Patel worked for Geisinger Health System in various roles, including serving as the program manager of the Revenue Management Special Projects Office. In that role she managed the implementation of the medical classification (ICD10) initiative required for all entities covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

She has served as an interpreter for the United States District Court and was an education consultant in India.

Patel also helped coordinate and raise funds for various cancer-related associations, as well as an organization that benefits military families.

Visit the Department of Health's website to learn more about Pennsylvania's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Amy Worden, DOH, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

Related Links

http://www.health.pa.gov