Prescription monitoring involves several steps: 1. Data Collection: Pharmacies and healthcare providers submit data on controlled substances to the PDMP. 2. Data Analysis: The collected data is analyzed to identify unusual prescribing patterns and potential misuse. 3. Reporting: The results are reported to relevant stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health officials. 4. Intervention: Based on the analysis, interventions such as patient education, provider training, or regulatory changes are implemented.