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About the RADARS System

General Characteristics of the RADARS System

Rate calculations Unique Recipients of Dispensed Drug (URDD) and population. Both are calculated per quarter or year, by Program
Reporting frequency to subscribers Quarterly, more frequently by request
Signal determination methodology

Rate thresholds of 2- or 5- cases per 100,000 population

Conditionally autoregressive (CAR) statistical model with Bayesian hierarchical model specification (under development)

Geographic specificity

3-digit ZIP code of patient or case

Coverage of 872 3-digit ZIP codes in the nation (98%)

Product Specificity Drug class (e.g. buprenorphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methylphenidate, morphine, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, methadone, tapentadol) and specific product (e.g. Suboxone®, Concerta®, Kadian®)
Quality Assurance
  • Document development and change control
  • Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all Programs
  • Quality control steps including data entry verification, data validation, data verification, and final report verification
  • Database controls including validation, central database internal system data validation, database backup and disaster recovery processes, and audit trails
  • Electronic systems controls including security and data transmission
  • Corrective action processes
  • Quality audits and monitoring including database quality audits, monitoring visits at Program sites, internal audits, and contractor audits
  • Training program and documentation for all RADARS System staff
  • Central database 21 CFR part 11 compliant