An Act to clarify prescription monitoring program activities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mindy Domb and 4 co-sponsors

H.2502 excludes testosterone from the Prescription Monitoring Program and requires immediate deletion of all testosterone data, ending monitoring and erasing its history.

Accompanied a study order, see H5234

Overview

H.2502 is a Massachusetts bill introduced on February 27, 2025, titled “An Act to clarify prescription monitoring program activities.” The measure seeks to modify the state Prescription Monitoring Program (PDMP) by removing testosterone from the list of monitored drugs and by requiring the immediate deletion of all testosterone-related data from the PDMP upon enactment. The bill is being considered in the 2025-2026 General Court and has a reporting date extended to October 9, 2025.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Exclusion of testosterone from PDMP monitoring.
Adds a new subsection (n) to Section 24A of Chapter 94C, stating: “Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), the department shall exclude testosterone from the list of drugs monitored in the prescription drug monitoring system.” This clarifies that testosterone will no longer be included in PDMP drug monitoring obligations.

Section 2 – Deletion of testosterone data from the PDMP.
Requires the department to delete from the PDMP all existing data concerning the prescribing and dispensing of testosterone immediately upon passage of the Act.

Who/What is Affected

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the PDMP system, which would operate no longer to monitor testosterone and would purge testosterone history.

Prescribers and Pharmacists who interact with the PDMP; testosterone prescriptions would not appear in PDMP data going forward.

Patients receiving testosterone therapy could experience changes in how testosterone prescriptions are tracked and how historical data is stored or accessible within PDMP.

Researchers and policy monitors relying on PDMP data for testosterone-related patterns would see a removal of testosterone data from official PDMP records.

Timeline and Procedural Details

Introduced / Filed: February 27, 2025 (House, No. 2502)

Committee Action: Referred to the Public Health Committee on February 27, 2025; hearing scheduled for June 11, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in hearing room A-1).

Legislative Action: Senate concurred with the bill; related House version HD 2220 is noted as replacing.

Status Update: The reporting date has been extended to Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Immediate Effect: Section 2 specifies immediate deletion of testosterone data upon passage.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Oversight and Safety: Removing testosterone from PDMP monitoring could reduce oversight of testosterone prescribing patterns and limit the PDMP’s ability to detect misuse or diversion related to testosterone.

Data Management: The act requires the rapid deletion of testosterone data, affecting historical datasets used for research or public health surveillance.

Policy Clarity: The bill aims to “clarify PDMP activities” by establishing a clear exemption for testosterone, potentially simplifying PDMP scope but altering longitudinal data continuity.

For readers seeking a concise understanding: H.2502 would exclude testosterone from PDMP monitoring and purge related data immediately upon enactment, with an extended reporting date to Oct 9, 2025 for further consideration.

Bill