St. Louis PDMP Request

To Whom it May Concern,

Northeastern University’s School of Social Justice and Health Equity is interested in the city’s prescription monitoring program, the St. Louis Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Specifically, we want to learn more about law enforcement access to the database, the use of an algorithm that produces a risk assessment score to analyze its contents, and the data access and retention rules governing the system. We understand the algorithm was produced by the corporation Appriss Health.

In order to permit the public to understand how the St. Louis County Department of Public Health is using the St. Louis Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and how it impacts public health and civil liberties in Missouri, Northeastern University’s Health in Justice Action Lab is making this request under the Mo. Code §610.023 et seq. for the following records:

1. Any and all records including information about the algorithm that determines risk scores in the PDMP, including but not limited to its source code, developer documentation, and operator manuals (e.g. Narx Score, Overdose Risk Score);

2. Any and all research, technical reports, or internal audits that evaluate the Appriss risk assessment tool’s effectiveness or performance; and

3. Any and all research, technical reports, or internal audits that define and/or evaluate the St. Louis PDMP’s effectiveness or performance;

4. Any and all records of de-identified red flag algorithm outputs (e.g. provider red flag, pharmacy red flag, 40 MED red flag) and patient behavioral red flags (e.g., anxious patient demeanor, distance between prescriber and dispenser) with prescriber/dispenser training documentation on how to address the red flags;

5. Any and all records containing the overseeing body of the St. Louis PDMP's analysis of whether and/or how the St. Louis PDMP has impacted public health in St. Louis (e.g. decrease or increase in overdose rates, “doctor shopping,” prescribing volume, etc.) over time; and

6. Any and all records 2006-present of notification to law enforcement about information in the St. Louis PDMP designated review group or other channels, including but not limited to how many times law enforcement agencies have been notified about information in the St. Louis PDMP, and which agencies have been notified

Because this request involves a matter of public concern and because it is made on behalf of a nonprofit organization, we ask that you waive any fees. If you decide not to waive fees, we request that you permit us to examine, at our election, the responsive documents before deciding which portions to transmit. We prefer the documents in electronic format.

Should you determine that some portion of the documents requested are exempt from disclosure, please release any reasonably segregable portions that are not exempt. In addition, please note the applicable statutory exemption and explain why it applies to the redacted portions. As you know, a custodian of public records shall comply with a request within three days after receipt.

Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Sarah Seymour