Washington State Law Tightens Access to Prescription Painkillers
A law in Washington State requires doctors to refer patients taking high doses of opioids for evaluation by a pain specialist if their underlying condition does not improve. The law passed last year is aimed at reducing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Ohio is considering similar legislation, The New York Times reports.
Some doctors in Washington have stopped treating pain patients, the article notes.
It is common for doctors prescribing pain medications not to monitor patients, and to simply prescribe an increasing amount, says Dr. Claire Trescott of Group Health in Seattle. She told the newspaper that is because treating pain patients, who are often also anxious or depressed, can be difficult and time-consuming. She said doctors end up treating the pain, instead of the underlying condition.
The Washington law sets a painkiller dosage level that requires a referral, which has created controversy. Several national pain experts said the provision would restrict patient access to care, and the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, also opposed the measure. Even some proponents of the law said there was a lack of evidence to support the dosage threshold.
Group Health treats 420,000 patients at 25 clinics throughout Washington. The health care system has placed controls on how painkillers are prescribed.
Over the last four years, Group Health says it has cut the percentage of patients on high opioid dosages in half, and decreased the average daily dose in patients who regularly take opioids by one-third.
The system is now studying how those changes have affected patients. The newspaper notes other studies have suggested many chronic pain patients may derive significant benefits from lower opioid use, such as much higher recovery rates.
What many people don’t know is that patients who are and have been with chronic pain need these medications to be able to survive. I have two teenage children. I attend college full time. I am doing my best to live, yet my medication has been nearly cut-off because of my doctor and this new law. This is greatly affecting my life as I am not able to do regular daily activities. Why do others find it necessary to try and control other peoples lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved your message u posted about pain killers and why they feel the need to controls us the people it’s a true shame, now we have. Marijuana dispensaries And alcohol it every front counter at the grocery store We should have the right ourselves to choose How many pills we need to be on a month because we know how our bodies work Really at all comes down to money they could just ask us an extra 40 or 50 bucks a month for bills and then the problem solved
“studies have suggested many chronic pain patients may derive significant benefits from lower opioid use, such as much higher recovery rates.”
OH REALLY? And just how does one “recover” from a GENETIC CONDITION?
What about the studies done a couple of years ago that showed that most people were being UNDERTREATED for pain?
Make up your minds! And don’t tell us how we feel!
When the Government starts making medical decisions there is always problems. Between the DEA scare tactics and the Government interference there are now many people suffering because they cannot get adequate pain treatment. The law of unintended consequences- but hey-the Government meant well…
The problem isn’t that the pain isn’t being treated. The problem is that the condition itself is not being treated. People are being pumped filled with opioids, which doesn’t help the actual problem. The goal should be to get a proper diagnosis, and treat accordingly, not just numb the patient so they stop complaining.
while the underlying conditions were also being treated I still have large onsets on pain. haveing had fibro for 13 years also now have a degeneration in my spine, bi polar and now severe anxiety since my legs go numb.
I have called dr after dr, in pierce county
and been turned down by all i have called stating they are not accepting new patients with any chronic illness. I dont have the money to see 3 different specilists. what our states is going to do is not collect more in taxes from cannibis users. so now we will be required to by meds illegally or be stones from drugs just to make it..
I work a long 66 hour week. i would not be able to do after my meds have run out and have no treatment. so then i guess wellfare will be dealing with me and my kids then.
i feel this law is unconstitutional and needs to be repealed. they need to understand that it is up to the doctor and the patient.. NOT THE STATE OR FED.
What realy angers me is the fact that the people who REALLY need the pain meds are having to suffer because of the low-lifes stealing others’ meds or getting them ilegal from another country. And as for the people making these suggestions, your pain day will come and you will experience what we (th epeople suffering) have been going thorugh.