MAG Foundation 'Think About It' Initiative

The Medical Association of Georgia and the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation are leaders in addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic in the state. Since 2011 ‘Think About It’ has been one of the MAG Foundation’s marquee initiatives. ‘Think About It’ supports prescribing physicians in Georgia through its commitment to these three priorities: Collaboration, Advocacy and Education.

Collaborate

‘Think About It’ convenes a statewide Advisory Committee comprised of vested physician groups and other health care organizations and professionals to leverage leadership, promote communication, share best practices, reduce duplicative efforts and ensure consistency in messaging for resources when treatment involves prescribing opioids.

‘Think About It’ Advisory Committee

– Georgia Alliance for Health Literacy
– Georgia Dental Association
– Georgia Department of Public Health
– Georgia Hospital Association
– Georgia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society
– Georgia Pharmacy Association
– Georgia Prevention Project
– Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine
– Georgia Society of Interventional Pain Physician
– American College of Physicians (ACP) Georgia Chapter
– Alliant GMCF
– Augusta University (MCG)
– Cancer Treatment Centers of America (Pain Management Division)
– Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
– Emory Pain Division
– Fulton County Commission (Bob Ellis)
– Kaiser Permanente - Pain Management
– MAGMutual
– Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
– Partnership for Drug Free Hall
– Richmond County Medical Society
– Third party payers (i.e.: BlueCross/BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare)
– WellStar Health System 

‘Think About It’ is the recipient of a 5-year grant from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to implement prevention initiatives in vulnerable communities in Georgia.

Advocate

‘Think About It’ advocates for physicians and delegates by promoting registration and use of the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). 

Educate

‘Think About It’ is Georgia’s trusted physician-focused and led program that puts timely, relevant and guideline-based literature that promotes good prescribing practices in the hands of physicians across Georgia.

DPH reminding prescribers about July 1 PDMP requirement

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding physicians in the state that, “Beginning July 1, 2018, all prescribers with a DEA number in Georgia will be required to check the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) before prescribing opiates or cocaine derivatives listed in Schedule II drugs or benzodiazepines.”

DPH says that, “The PDMP can help eliminate duplicative prescribing and overprescribing of controlled substances and provide a prescriber or pharmacist with critical information regarding a patient’s controlled substance prescription history and protect patients at risk of abuse.”

DPH is also promoting the availability of a tutorial video and a ‘quick reference guide’ that address how to use the PDMP – including “[how to] log in, reset your password, and navigate the system.”

DPH is encouraging prescribers to “watch the video, review the instructions, and log in and search patient records to become familiar with the PDMP before July 1, 2018.”

Call 404.463.0772 or email to pdmpsupport@dph.ga.gov with questions.

Click for PDMP tutorial video

Click for PDMP ‘Quick Reference Guide – Making a Request in PMP AWARXE’

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