State workgroup seeks to curb prescription-drug deaths
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/12/31/state-workgroup-seeks-to-curb-prescription-drug.html
California state agencies are combining resources to prevent deaths and injuries from prescription painkiller misuse and overdose — and to alert health care providers, pharmacists and the public to the epidemic.
A prescription opioid misuse and overdose prevention workgroup was formed last spring. The goal is to expand prevention strategies — and curb prescription drug-related injuries and deaths.
“Drug overdose brings to mind illegal street drugs like heroin, but many deaths due to drug abuse are from misuse of the legal prescription drugs that many people find in their medicine cabinets,” state health officer Dr. Ron Chapman said in a news release.
Drug overdoses kill more people in the U.S. than motor vehicle crashes. More than half the 41,000 drug overdose deaths in this country in 2012 were linked to pharmaceuticals, and opioid painkillers like oxycodone, methadone or hydrocodone were involved in about three or every four pharmaceutical overdose deaths. In California, reported deaths involving opioid prescription medications have increased 16.5 percent since 2006, according to state health officials.
The workgroup includes representatives from state departments of public health, health care services, justice, education and consumer affairs. Also represented are the pharmacy board, medical board, dental board and emergency medical services authority.
One goal is to provide information about the Medical Board of California’s recently revised guidelines for prescribing controlled substances for pain.
“Treating pain is complicated and prescription drugs do have an appropriate use,” Chapman said. “Health care providers and their patients should discuss the benefits and risks of prescription pain medications and consider all treatment options.”
Read a PDF of the pain guidelines.
Maybe I am just reading things into this…but.. notice who is the lead representatives on this work group and notice who are ALSO REPRESENTED.. the healthcare professionals that have the day to day “hands-on” dealing with pts and their health issues..
Also notice that Rx medications do have an appropriate use…but there seems to be a focus on ALL TREATMENT OPTIONS… Not everyone has the finances or insurance to afford all treatment options… not to mention time off work to participate and/or doesn’t have transportation or depending on a working spouse for transportation.. Unfortunately, there can be a very huge gap between theory and reality. My concern is that groups like this tend to focus on theory and little attention to reality.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: General Problems | 5 Comments »
