A new article by Jennifer Lubell was posted today on the American Medical Association website. Below are some quotes from the article which highlight are some of the most critical elements and data that are discussed.. 

"Policies that narrowly focus on restricting opioid analgesics stigmatize patients who need pain medication, creating a false perception that a single opioid prescription leads to inevitable dependence and death, said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force during an AMA Advocacy Insights webinar."

Stigma in prescribing

"In West Virginia, a qualitative study suggests a restrictive 2018 state opioid-prescribing law had the perverse effect of leading some patients use illicit drugs"

"To analyze the law’s effects on prescribing behavior, Dr. Sedney and colleagues looked at state prescription data and interviewed physicians, other prescribers, dispensers and patients—including those who used diverted or illicit substances.

Interviews with physicians revealed that many feared disciplinary actions resulting from opioid prescribing. This fear was present even before the law took effect."