FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 5, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has published the 2024 report on prescription drug use in the state. The annual report provides a detailed assessment of controlled substances that are prescribed to South Carolinians, which can help health officials prevent prescription medication misuse, substance use disorders and opioid overdoses.
Each year, the South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Report is produced by DPH’s Bureau of Drug Control. Over the past several years, the prescription monitoring program (PMP) has quickly developed as an important clinical and public health surveillance tool. Through a highly secure PMP database, health care professionals can review a patient’s history of prescribed controlled substance medications to ensure patient safety and gather demographic information about prescription medication use in communities across the state.
“Prescription Monitoring Programs remain a vital tool in identifying emerging trends in the prescribing and use of controlled substances,” said Samantha Donnelly, Prescription Monitoring Program, Epidemiologist. “We are encouraged by the growing use of the PMP and the continued decline in overall controlled substance dispensing across South Carolina. At the same time, we remain vigilant in monitoring the rising use of stimulants and ketamine throughout the state.”
Since 2014, South Carolina state law has required prescription medication dispensers to upload their daily dispensations into the state’s PMP database, called SCRIPTS (South Carolina Reporting & Identification Prescription Tracking System). Medications are categorized by “schedules,” and SCRIPTS tracks controlled substances within schedules II, III & IV.
Key data from the 2024 report include:
“Although we continue to see positive prescribing trends across the state, the rapid rise in stimulant dispensations, within South Carolina and nationwide, over the last few years is something we are monitoring as a potential concern,” said Chelsea Townsend, PharmD, Prescription Monitoring Program, Director. “DPH and its partners can use this data to help intervene in potential areas of prescription drug misuse, which can, ultimately, save lives. In addition to the annual report, the PMP publishes real time quarterly updates via our PMP dashboard. We encourage stakeholders to use these trends to make informed decisions in their local areas.”
The South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Program and SCRIPTS database were created through the 2006 South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Act. The act aligns with ongoing statewide efforts to stop drug overdoses and deaths in South Carolina.
DPH reminds all South Carolinians that help is available for anyone experiencing substance use issues:
Additionally, DPH offers free overdose prevention safety kits at all of its public health clinics. Each OD safety kit contains naloxone nasal spray, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, easy-to-read instructions and information on how to spot an opioid overdose. Call 1-855-472-3432 and ask where you can pick up an opioid overdose prevention kit or use our health clinic locator tool.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 24, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is adding two new confirmed cases of measles in Spartanburg County since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina this year to 25 and the total number of cases in the current Upstate outbreak to 22.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 23, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Twice a year, in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) partners with local law enforcement and other community organizations to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, by cleaning out and properly disposing of unused or expired medications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 22, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is celebrating International Bat Week (Oct. 24-31) by encouraging residents to learn about the important role bats play in the environment while also being cautious in their presence.