Where We Stand
Section: Substance Use Disorder
Policy: Prescribing Opioids

Prescribing Opioids

The OMA adopts the following overarching policy regarding prescription opioids, including, but not limited to, the following:

The OMA recognizes the vital role that physicians and physician assistants (PAs) play in the provision of appropriate pain management services including prescribing opioid analgesics for assessed pain.

The OMA supports the shared decision making process between the prescriber and the patient that includes weighing the risks and benefits of starting or continuing opioid therapy.

The OMA supports the education of physicians and physician assistants regarding the proper assessment, referral and treatment of chronic pain as well as strategies to lessen the diversion, misuse, abuse, and unintentional overdose, and death from opioid pain relievers.

The OMA supports continued clinician input into pain management regulations and legislation.

The OMA encourages physicians and physician assistants to use all available risk assessment tools to improve safety in pain management as is fitting to their practice. The OMA endorses:
  • Continued research and adoption of evidence-based guidelines for the safe treatment of chronic pain
  • Increased access to non-opioid modalities that are appropriate for pain care and covered by insurance
  • The regular use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)

Monitoring Program (PDMP)
  • Efforts to make the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) more easily accessible to prescribers.
  • Regular adherence monitoring and evaluation of a patient’s opioid therapy
  • Increased access to comprehensive addiction evaluation and/or treatment for individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder

Finally, the OMA endorses public and community education for greater awareness of the risks of opioid prescriptions and options for pain management.

The OMA will work in collaboration with other organizations including other medical associations to address the issue of opioid safety in a holistic manner that ensures patient safety and well-being remain at the forefront of prescribing practices.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, June 2016.

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