CURES Information Exchange Web Service (IEWS)

Assembly Bill 40

The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) is a database containing information about Schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substance prescriptions dispensed to patients, as reported by the dispensing pharmacy, clinic, or other dispenser pursuant to Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 11165(d). The CURES Program grants authorized health care practitioners and pharmacists access to query the CURES database to assist them in their efforts to ensure appropriate prescribing, ordering, administering, furnishing, and dispensing of controlled substances to individuals under the health care practitioner or pharmacist’s care.

Assembly Bill (AB) 40 requires the Department of Justice to establish a method of system integration whereby approved health care practitioners and pharmacists may use a qualified health information technology system to access information in the CURES database. As a prerequisite to system integration, each entity that operates a heath information technology system must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Justice.

An approved health care practitioner or pharmacist may submit queries to the CURES database through a health information technology system if the entity that operates the health information technology system can certify meeting the requirements specified in HSC section 11165.1(a)(1)(E). For purposes of AB 40, “entity” means an organization that operates, or provides or makes available, a health information technology system to a health care practitioner or pharmacist.

View a complete copy of HSC section 11165.1 as revised to incorporate AB 40.

How Do We Sign Up?

In order to participate, you must submit an application package, which includes:

  • Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - to be submitted by mail. DocuSign MOU's may be emailed
  • Completed Onboarding Questionnaire
  • Payment through check or cashier’s check for all associated fees, including:
    • Fee to Establish Connectivity - $1500.00
    • Maintenance Fee – Waived through June 2025.

The application package may be mailed to the following address:

  • California Department of Justice
  • CURES Program
  • P.O. Box 160447
  • Sacramento, CA 95816

NCPDP Script Standard

Presently, the CURES IEWS supports Version 2017071 of the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) SCRIPT Standard. The California Department of Justice has provided the CURES IEWS Implementation Guide below.

Documents

Informational Documents

Application Documents