Posted by Michael Wonder on 22 Aug 2018
Statement by FDA Commissioner on new steps to advance the development of evidence-based, indication-specific guidelines to help guide appropriate prescribing of opioid analgesics
22 August 2018 - As we all work to confront the staggering human and economic toll created by the opioid crisis, we recognise the critical role that health care providers play in addressing this public health priority – both in reducing the rate of new addiction by decreasing unnecessary and/or inappropriate exposure to opioids and ensuring rational prescribing practices, while still providing appropriate treatment to patients who have medical need for these medicines.
With millions of Americans misusing and abusing opioids and more than 40 people dying every day from overdoses involving prescription opioids, it’s clear that we need to do everything we can, including working with stakeholders, to get ahead of this crisis.
Many people who become addicted to opioids will first be exposed to these drugs through a lawfully prescribed medication. Unfortunately, the fact remains that there are still too many prescriptions being written for opioids. And too many prescriptions are written for longer durations of use than are appropriate for the medical need being addressed.
