OBJECTIVES: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) can help pharmacists provide appropriate care to patients taking controlled prescription drugs (CPDs). Study objectives were to 1)describe pharmacists’ views on mandating PDMP use and providing opioid addiction counseling; 2)determine what demographic and practice characteristics are associated with CPD-related continuing education (CE) hours; and 3)describe actions associated with dispensing CPDs. METHODS: This cross-sectional mail survey of 998 randomly selected Texas community pharmacists was part of a larger study to examine pharmacists’ intention to utilize a PDMP. Data were collected anonymously from 2/12-4/12. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to address the study objectives. RESULTS: The useable response rate was 26.2%. Pharmacists were more supportive of mandating PDMP use for physicians (4.1±1.2) than for pharmacists (3.2±1.5), (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). Male, BS degreed, pharmacy owners (vs. managers) and ≥50 year old pharmacists reported significantly (p<0.05) more CE hours related to prescription opioid abuse and pain management. CE was significantly correlated with pharmacists’ agreement to provide counseling (p=0.02). More than 45% of pharmacists were “always” prompted to use the PDMP when: patients paid cash (48.1%), prescription had mistakes (68.1%) and early refill request were made (66.3%). Prior to dispensing CPDs, more than 45% of pharmacists “always” consulted patient records (49.2%), verified prescribers DEA (48.0%) and patient identification (47.5%). Almost 40% of pharmacists “never” discussed buprenorphine/naloxone with patients or prescribers if they suspected abuse; instead 92.3% refused to fill the prescription and 44.0% were neutral regarding notifying law enforcement and counseling (35.1%). Pharmacists with a BS degree expressed higher agreement with opioid addiction counseling (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Older male pharmacists received more CE and seemed more willing to provide counseling to patients with opioid addiction. As PDMP use becomes more prevalent, pharmacists should be prepared to interact and counsel patients with addictive patterns of prescription opioid use.