Analyzing Prescription Monitoring Program Data
Description
DEA investigators currently rely on manual manipulation of data in spreadsheets to conduct Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) analysis. This requires 8-10 hours of labor (data extraction, cleaning, cross referencing, narrative synthesis), and, since investigators analyze data in different ways, results vary. There is little consistency across the agency or even between investigators in terms of what data is examined and there is no easy way to identify patterns such as MMEs, combinations, and early fills.
Detailed example
Quantitative data reports and analyses
AI / analytics pattern
Classical/Predictive Machine Learning: Models trained on data to make predictions or classifications based on identified patterns or relationships.
Automation level / stage
a) Pre-deployment – The use case is in a development or acquisition status.
Expected benefit
Increases operational efficiency by automating data preparation, risk identification, and initial narrative generation. Average time spent to produce a PMP decreased from ten to two hours (minus 80%). By employing consistent, data-driven risk analysis, increases the proportion of high-value investigations that result in successful enforcement or administrative outcomes. Reallocates Diversion Investigator effort to higher-value tasks (e.g., field operations, strategic planning), producing a labor cost benefit in the thousands per Diversion Investigator based on average pay and number of PMPs analyzed. Faster identification of prescribing anomalies supports earlier public health interventions and reduces community exposure to diverted pharmaceuticals. A single, centrally managed AI service can be provisioned to all DEA field offices, ensuring uniform analytic standards.
Audit / financial statement impact
Does not produce an output that serves as a principal basis for decisions or actions with legal, material, binding, or significant effect on any of the individuals or entities identified in OMB-25-21.
Controls / human review
ATO: Not reported; PIA: Not published