The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released for comment a proposed guideline aimed at reducing the prescription use of opioids for pain treatment. The purpose of the CDC guideline is to provide recommendations for the prescribing of opioid pain medication for patients 18 and older in primary care settings. Recommendations focus on the use of opioids in treating chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting longer than 3 months or past the time of normal tissue healing) outside end-of-life care. View the full guideline.
In a January 13 letter to the CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians responded to the proposed 2016 guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. After acknowledging the destructive opioid epidemic, the AAFP pointed out that the CDC’s recommendations are not graded at a level consistent with currently available evidence.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians forwarded AAFP comments to the State Medical Board of Ohio; Ohio Department of Health Medical Director Mary DiOrio, MD; Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Mary Applegate, MD; and to staff of the Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team.