Why Mississippi Dispensary POS Must Be Integrated With MSPMP

The Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (MSPMP) is an electronic database that collects information on controlled substance prescriptions filled within the state. It is a crucial tool in ensuring patient safety. Dispensaries in Mississippi are advised to use a cannabis POS system that streamlines MSPMP reporting to comply with state regulations. Before we dive into why it is essential for cannabis dispensaries in Mississippi to use a POS system that simplifies MSPMP, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program for dispensaries.

FAQs About MSPMP for Dispensaries in Mississippi

Q: What is the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (MSPMP)?

A: The Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (MSPMP) is a third-party system used in the state of Mississippi to track prescription and drug dispensation transactions. It is used to help prevent drug abuse and diversion and ensure compliance with state regulations.

Q: What do cannabis dispensaries need to do to comply with MSPMP requirements?

A: Dispensaries in Mississippi must generate and submit a report to the MSPMP that lists all dispensing transactions every 24 hours, whether they dispensed any medical cannabis products or not. This report needs to be generated and submitted during regular operation periods. A report with zero transactions is called a Zero Report.

Q: Is it necessary to use a cannabis-specific POS system for MSPMP reporting?

A: It is not necessary to use a cannabis-specific POS system for MSPMP reporting, but it certainly makes things easier if your POS system offers the functionality. Cova is one of the few cannabis POS systems in Mississippi that makes this process simple for dispensaries. Although there are other healthcare management systems available for generating these reports, they come with a lot of functionality that dispensaries don't need, and they also tend to be quite expensive. Hence, a cannabis POS system like Cova is your best bet.

Q: What are the benefits of using a dispensary POS system for MSPMP reporting?

A: Reporting all dispensing transactions to the MSPMP in a compliant manner can be a daunting task for dispensary operators especially as your cannabis business scales up. A dispensary POS like Cova simplifies this process by allowing you to record the specific information required for each transaction and generate the necessary reports.

Q: What information do dispensaries need to track and report to the MSPMP?

A: To sell cannabis products in MS, dispensaries need to record specific information from the patient, the amount of each type of reportable product (flower, concentrate, edible, non-edible) they sold to the patient and relevant information about the transaction. They also need to perform a few calculations to report all of the required data and figure out a way of tracking the dispensing actions in case they need to revise or void a line in a previously submitted report. Finally, they need to put all of this information into a specific file format and submit a report to the MSPMP every day. This can be a time-consuming process, especially for busy dispensaries that handle many cannabis transactions per day.

There are a few more things that dispensaries need to keep in mind when reporting data to the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (MSPMP) through their POS systems:

1. Report frequency: Dispensaries are required to submit a report to the MSPMP for every day that they are operating, even if they have no transactions to report. If a dispensary fails to submit a report for two consecutive days, the MSPMP will send them a notification of non-compliance.
2. Report format: The report generated by the dispensary's POS system must be in a specific format that complies with MSPMP's reporting requirements. The report must be a .dat file and must follow the ASAP 4.2 format. Any errors in the report, such as incorrect or missing data, will be flagged by the MSPMP and must be corrected within 7 days.
3. Data retention: Dispensaries are required to retain all dispensing data for at least two years, in case the MSPMP needs to review the data for compliance purposes. This includes both the original report and any revised reports submitted to correct errors.
4. MSPMP access: Dispensaries must grant access to the MSPMP to review their dispensing data upon request. Failure to grant access or provide accurate data may result in penalties.

Why You Must Use a POS System Integrated with MSPMP

Here are some reasons why dispensaries in Mississippi need to use a POS system that is integrated with MSPMP:

1. Compliance with state regulations: Dispensaries in Mississippi are required to report controlled substance prescription data to MSPMP within 24 hours of dispensing. Using a POS system that automates MSPMP ensures that dispensaries can easily comply with this requirement.
2. Prevention of prescription drug abuse: By collecting and monitoring data on controlled substance prescriptions, MSPMP helps prevent prescription drug abuse and diversion. Dispensaries that use a POS system that automates MSPMP reporting are playing an important role in this effort.
3. Improved patient safety: MSPMP helps healthcare providers identify patients who may be at risk of addiction or overdose. By using a POS system like Cova, dispensaries can help ensure that their patients receive safe and appropriate care.
4. Reduced risk of fines and penalties: Failure to comply with MSPMP reporting requirements can result in fines and other penalties. With a compliant cannabis POS, dispensaries can reduce the risk of such consequences.
5. Streamlined reporting: A POS system like Cova can streamline the MSPMP reporting process for dispensaries. This can save time and resources and reduce errors that may occur in manual reporting.

In conclusion, using a POS system like Cova that automates MSPMP reporting is essential for dispensaries in Mississippi. It helps ensure compliance with state regulations, prevents prescription drug abuse, improves patient safety, reduces the risk of fines and penalties, and streamlines reporting. With Cova POS, cannabis dispensaries in Mississippi can promote safe and responsible healthcare practices. Click below to learn more about Cova.