The American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP) has announced a new version of its popular 4.1 standard used by prescription-monitoring programs (PMPs) in this country. Version 4.2 includes several changes that will improve the quality of the data used to monitor controlled substances dispensed.

The technical specifications were also amended in order to reduce problems with files received by prescription-monitoring programs.

The ASAP workgroup involved in the upgrade represented a cross-section of stakeholders. There were representatives from several prescription-monitoring programs, drug chains, system vendors, and independent and institutional pharmacies. Leading PMP repositories were also involved in the process.

The changes to 4.1 should have minimal impact on the cost to implement 4.2.