OSTAR-Oklahoma Schedule II abuse reduction: an electronic point of sale diversion control system

In its short history, OSTAR has proven to be a fast, accurate tracking system for Schedule II prescriptions within Oklahoma. Information is available immediately in many cases and, having been entered into the system by the pharmacist, is very accurate. Approximately 50 percent of the information is being transmitted through electronic means at this time, and that percentage is increasing daily due to software companies making modifications to their pharmacy programs. System deficiencies have proven to be minimal, even less than anticipated. Efforts are still underway to ensure that data is received in a uniform manner; i.e., some data systems include zeroes at the end of the patient number, which causes investigators to have to query in more than one form. These pharmacies and companies are currently being notified and are making the necessary changes. The technical problems usually encountered with a new system have been limited, and data has been useful from the first month of the program. Feedback from impaired physicians has indicated they would not have been so free to divert Schedule II substances through prescriptions if this system had been in place. OBN has active cases involving a large number of physician scammers that are a direct result of OSTAR and it has enhanced cases on at least one physician and provided valuable information for search warrants. Agents are able to make better cases for prosecutors while completing investigations in much shorter periods of time. Local law enforcement personnel who have accessed OSTAR have become convinced that it is a most effective tool, and use of the system has complemented their investigations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)