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Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Not yet finalized. VA published this proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 20, 2026.

In this update: 1 procedural.

Not yet finalized Parts of this article describe changes that are not final. They are labeled in the text.

By VeteransHelp.org (automatic Federal Register watcher) Published Updated Sources last verified

AI-summarized from official sources and checked against the source text. Each item links to the official page.

AI-summarized from official sources and checked against the source text. Each item links to the official page.

In this update: 1 procedural.

Not yet finalized: This is a proposed rule, not a final VA rule.Source [1]

Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring ProgramsLink to “Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs”

Procedural / no direct effectWho: VA patients prescribed controlled substances; VA clinicians and contractorsWhy: If finalized, VA would require disclosure of specified prescription information to State PDMPs where needed to prevent misuse and diversion, and would define which VA staff and contractors may query those databases. Veteran patients would see no new benefit, cost, or deadline; the changes mostly affect how VA staff and clinicians handle controlled-substance prescribing records.

What changed. Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs 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).

Who it affects. 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.

What to do / key dates. Comments close: 2026-07-20

Comment deadline. Comments close Jul 20, 2026. This proposed rule is not final.

Source quotes

  • Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • Comments close: 2026-07-20

Official source (external site)

Sources and exact words

Each numbered claim above links here. Open “Exact words” to see what the official source says.

  1. Federal Register (official site) Not yet finalized

    Last verified · Back to text for source 1

    Exact words from the source

    “Proposed Rule”

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