By Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten, Web Content Editor
During the last week of October, the President of the United States announced a Public Health Emergency in an effort to address “drug addiction and opioid abuse.” Shortly thereafter, organization after organization released statements commending the President on this declaration. The FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement saying the “administration took a historic step to direct additional resources to help address the staggering human and economic toll created by the epidemic of opioid addiction.” The statement from Walgreens Boots Alliance stated “the President’s declaration further inspires the Walgreens commitment and comprehensive national plan to combat opioid abuse.” The chairwoman of the American Medical Association’s opioid task force, Patrice A. Harris, commended the declaration as “a move that will offer needed flexibility and help direct attention to opioid-ravaged communities.”
So what does this all really mean?
The designation of a public health crisis made by acting health secretary Eric D. Hargan allows for some grant money to be used to combat opioid abuse, permit the hiring of specialists to tackle the crisis, and expand the use of telemedicine services to treat people in rural areas affected by opioid use, where doctors are often not easily available.
But does this address the base issue?
The ultimate issue that requires more attention is how to offer options that work for patients who require long-term pain management care.
There are some non-opioid based pain medications available that work for some patients. Medical marijuana shows promise for long-term pain management, however, it is not available in every state, can be quite costly, and state laws associated with the use of medical marijuana are often at direct odds with federal laws.
The large majority of pain management patients have tried just about every other option to help control their pain and live a somewhat normal life. Opioids are always the last resort.
So what is the solution to the opioid crisis? It is obviously not a quick fix. However, better non-opioid options for long-term pain management is a good place to start.