FDA Launches “Remove the Risk” Campaign for Safe Disposal of Unused Opioids
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is launching on April 25, 2019, its “Remove the Risk” campaign, aimed at promoting the safe disposal of unused opioids.
Opioids
Opioid Labels to Include Appropriate Tapering Information for Physically Dependent Patients
The Food and Drug Administration is requiring labeling changes for all opioid analgesics used in the outpatient setting, to provide additional guidance on safe opioid tapering.
Substitution of Opioids With Cannabis Not Recommended for Treating Addiction
The current evidence for the efficacy and safety of replacing opioids with medical cannabis for treating opioid addiction does not meet standards for recommendation.
Assessing Dual Prescription Receipt and Risk of Opioid Overdose Death for Veterans
Veterans who received opioid prescriptions from both the VA and Medicare Part D providers were more likely to unintentionally but fatally overdose on opioids.
HHS Task Force Issues Draft Report on Best Practices for Pain Management
In a draft report issued December 28, 2018 by the US Department of Health and Human Services-sponsored Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, recommendations for a multidisciplinary approach to pain management were formulated.
Educational Program May Improve Opioid Prescribing Practices
A one-time education program regarding safe, responsible opioid prescribing for clinicians prescribing these medications for the management of acute pain may effectively improve their knowledge and confidence, and may increase guideline adherence.
Racial/Ethnic, Income Variation Identified in the Opioid Epidemic
Researchers found that the prevalence of opioid prescriptions varied nearly 300% across the race/ethnicity-income gradient.
Opioid-Related Pediatric Deaths Increased 3-Fold Between 1999 and 2016
The rate of pediatric mortality associated with prescription and illicit opioids rose 3-fold between 1999 and 2016.
An Evidence-Based Road Map to Navigating the Opioid Epidemic
This rise in prescribing of prescription opioids in the last 2 decades of the 20th century occurred at a time during which medical professionals were urged to resort to prescription opioids to manage untreated and chronic noncancer pain.
AHA Online Opioid Education Course Available
The American Heart Association launched in December 2018 a 30 minute-long online course titled “Opioid Education for Healthcare Providers.”
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