Date & Time

Wednesday, June 6th at 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Location

Mirabella F-J

Keynote Speakers

Mark Pew and Dr. Jeffrey Hazlewood, introduced by Dr. Robert B. Snyder

Are we making progress against the opioid epidemic?

The opioid epidemic has evolved since its genesis in the mid-1990’s. From clinically inappropriate / non-medical use of prescription opioids to illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl, these drugs have destroyed individuals and decimated families and communities. Because of its pervasiveness, manifold participants with varying motivations, and constant evolution as supply meets demand, there is no single solution to resolving the epidemic. Given the sobering statistics (over 40,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2016 and that will likely increase when the 2017 statistics are released) it may be difficult to sense progress. But there is progress being made.

Given Tennessee’s proximity to the epicenter of the epidemic, progress includes the Governor’s $30 million proposal in January entitled “TN Together” that focuses on prevention, treatment and law enforcement, House Bill 1831 that includes “changes to the requirements for prescribing, dispensing, and reporting of opioids,” and the workers’ compensation drug formulary and treatment guidelines that is changing treatment choices. Progress can also be measured by legislative and regulatory changes enacted in other states (including workers’ compensation) and in federal agencies, coverage by mainstream media and more education for physicians on when prescription opioids should be used and appropriate treatment alternatives, and reports from workers’ compensation PBMs that total opioid pills, cost and dosage continue to annually decrease. Other measures of progress include more use of less risky alternative methods for managing pain, the use and payment of evidence-based recovery programs for those that need to change their lives, and ultimately a reduction in the number of overdoses and deaths. This session will briefly discuss the epidemic but spend more time on efforts to #CleanUpTheMess, their positive progress to-date and the long road forward.

**Spoiler alert – the answer to the title’s question is “yes” but we are nowhere close to being done.

Materials

Summary & Outline

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