Ohio BWC Reduces Painkiller Use

According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), almost one-third of the prescriptions for injured workers last year were for painkillers. The agency reports that the use of painkillers has risen by 37% in the last 10 years, and that 20% of medical benefit payments goes toward prescription drugs. The Bureau took action based on these statistics, and the results are promising. After limiting which drugs can be prescribed for initial pain following an injury, the agency saw a 12% decrease in prescriptions for the most potent narcotics within just a few short months. This drop equates to about 1.1 million doses.

These statistics show that prescription drug abuse continues to be a long-term problem facing businesses. While regulating the behavior of employees on their own time is nearly impossible, you can implement a comprehensive drug-free workplace programs that ensure that behavior stays at home. Learn more about how these policies can help recognize prescription drug abuse in your company.

Tags: drug abuse prevention, prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, prescription drug monitoring, prescription drugs, substance abuse

State-Mandated Rx Monitoring

The focus on state-mandated prescription-monitoring programs has been well documented in recent months. These programs were enacted to cut down on “doctor shopping” by patients seeking pain medication and over-prescribing by disreputable physicians. This focus should reduce the supply of illegal prescription drugs and decrease workplace drug abuse.

Some states are also demanding that doctors participate in the solution to the painkiller abuse epidemic in other ways. Currently, certain doctors in California, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia must complete continuing medical education courses in the areas of pain management and controlled substance prescriptions. In Ohio, the requirement pertains to doctors who work in clinics where 50 percent of the patient roster is treated with opioids.

The creation of these mandates is timely; especially considering prescription drug overdoses claimed more American lives in 2009 than fatal car crashes. As overdoses increase, physicians are also facing criminal charges for overprescribing painkillers. Although some doctors, like the five in Florida who allegedly participated in a distribution ring, are thought to have criminal intent, others may face charges for making poor clinical decisions. A majority of the 37 criminal cases brought against doctors from 2001 to 2011 were done so under the Controlled Substances Act. To be found guilty, it must be demonstrated that the doctor prescribed medication for uses other than legitimate medical reason or uses beyond accepted medical practices.

Tags: prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, rx abuse

Ohio Joins Newly Formed Interstate Prescription Drug Task Force

Four states – Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia – have created the Interstate Prescription Drug Task Force to fight the region’s prescription drug abuse problem.

The 30-member group will work to develop strategies to reduce the sale and abuse of prescription drugs, and will make recommendations to improve cooperation in sharing data, educational campaigns and police investigations.

Read more about prescription drugs in “SPECIAL REPORT: Prescription Drugs, Ohio Responds.”

Tags: drug abuse, drug free workplace, prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month

Prescription Abuse Training for Doctors

Federal legislation sponsored by Senator Jay Rockefeller (WV) and Chuck Schumer (NY) would require physicians to undergo training about opiate-based narcotics.   Currently the DEA does not require medical doctors, dentists and other clinicians to take any training of this sort before being licensed.

The proposed Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act would also increase sentencing for those who rob pharmacies to fuel a drug habit. If approved, the bill doubles the penalty this crime from its current 10 years to a proposed 20 years in prison.

Lastly, the bill includes $25 million for states to improve their prescription drug monitoring systems. Several states including Ohio, Florida, Georgia and New York are currently trying to increase their monitoring systems’ effectiveness through legislated efforts.

Read more about prescription drugs in “SPECIAL REPORT: Prescription Drugs, Ohio Responds.”

Tags: drug free workplace, prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month: Part 2

A few days ago we shared some facts about the impact prescription drug abuse is having on our nation.  Continuing the spirit of Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month in Ohio, we decided to share some good news regarding what is being done about this issue on the national and local levels.

Nationwide:

• In April, President Obama announced a national strategy to reduce the misuse of painkillers by 15 percent within five years.  This will be accomplished with education, increased law enforcement and pill-tracking databases.
• The Food & Drug Administration launched a “risk evaluation and mitigation strategy” (REMS) to update medical guides on painkillers and communicate risk information to both doctors and patients.
• Pharmaceutical companies are working to redesign their painkillers to reduce abuse.
• The DEA began a prescription drug take back program last year.  This program encourages local agencies to establish collection times and locations for people to drop off old and unused painkillers.

Ohio:

• In May, Governor Kasich signed House Bill 93 requiring pain clinics to obtain special licenses, to increase the state’s prescription monitoring program, and limit the amount of painkillers a doctor can dispense from the office.  HB 93 also addresses other related issues.
• Ohio is working with fellow “opiate express” states Kentucky, West Virginia and Florida to establish a system to make it hard to illegally get, transport and sell Rx drugs between the states.
• Opiate Task Forces have been set up to focus on the issue in 23 of Ohio’s hardest hit counties.
• Ohio legislators are debating several bills that address a variety of prescription drug abuse related issues.

As many government leaders have mentioned, we are facing a problem of epic proportions and must take steps to fight back.  Education is one of the ways to do this.  Sharing information about the impact of prescription drug abuse is helpful, as well as sharing information about what is being done to counter the abuse.  We know it sounds cliché, but knowledge is power.  Please help us spread the news about prescription drug abuse.

More information about prescription drug abuse can be found by visiting the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Tags: Governor Kasich, HB 93, House Bill 93, Opiate Task Force, prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month: Part 1

June is Prescription (Rx) Drug Abuse Awareness month in Ohio. While it would probably be  good for this to be a nationally recognized awareness month since more people die of Rx overdoses than crack/cocaine and heroin overdoses combined, everyone at Working Partners® thinks this is a great time to draw awareness to the prescription drug issue in our state. 

Recently we have shared a lot of information about prescription drugs in our newsletter, e-blast trainings and speaking opportunities – so it is time that our blog got in on the action for Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month.  Here are some facts and information that you might not have known.

• Over the last nine years, death due to accidental drug overdoses has increased 350% (the majority due to painkillers).
• The U.S. uses over 80% of the world’s opioids.
• According to Quest Diagnostics, positive Rx drug test results have been rising since 2007.
• In Florida, Broward County has more pill mills than McDonalds – 115 pill mills vs. about 70 McDonalds.
• Between January and June 2010, the DEA reported medical practitioners in Florida purchased nearly 41 million oxycodone doses – 44 times more than the second highest number (927,000 doses) purchased in Ohio.

If you don’t think prescription drug abuse is happening in Ohio, consider:

• In May, three dozen people, including a retired physician, were arrested for trafficking oxycodone into Ohio – moving up to 500 pills a week into the state.
• Ohio ranks number 11 in accidental drug overdoses in the nation.
• In 2007, unintentional drug poisoning became the leading cause of death, beating out motor vehicle crashes and suicides, in Ohio.
• Until a recent DEA search warrant was served, Ohio was home to one of the largest pill mills in the nation.
• Four Ohioans die every day because of drug-related overdoses.

There is no argument that painkillers, like oxycodone, serve an important role in pain management, but they can be highly addictive when used incorrectly.  We want people to be aware of the impact prescription drug abuse has had on our state and our nation.  Please join us this month during Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, (and all other months) and spread the word about prescription drug abuse.

For more Ohio related information on prescription drugs visit Healthy Ohio’s website.

Tags: Ohio, pill mills, prescription drug abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness, Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, Working Partners