Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of Medications in America

[Guest guest]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405161906.htm

Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of

Medications in America

ScienceDaily (Apr. 6, 2011)

— Two reports by addiction researchers at the University of

Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Institute on

Drug Abuse show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns

impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America.

The reports, published in JAMA, recommend a

comprehensive effort to reduce public health risks while

improving patient care, including better training for

prescribers, pain management treatment assessment, personal

responsibility and public education.

The JAMA Research Report shows that there has been

a drastic increase in opioid prescriptions while prescriptions

for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gone

down. Prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone account for

84.9 percent of opioid prescriptions. Over ten years, there has

been a fivefold increase in admissions to substance abuse

programs for opioid addiction.

While effective at reducing pain symptoms, opioid medications

such as hydrocodone and oxycodone are associated with high rates

of abuse, particularly among young adults. One in four 18-25

year olds will abuse prescription pain killers in their

lifetime.

Researchers suggest targeting the relatively high rate of

prescriptions to adolescents and young adults, who received 11.7

percent of the 202 million opioid prescriptions in the United

States during 2009. A large share of the prescriptions to young

adults was from dentists, and researchers believe there is a

need for medical professionals to evaluate alternative pain

medications in this particularly vulnerable age group.

"The scope of the problem is vast -- opioid overdose is now the

second leading cause of accidental death in the United States

and the prevalence is second only to marijuana," said

McLellan, PhD, co-author of the studies and director of the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions, housed in the Department

of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of

Medicine. "This study provides valuable information about

factors contributing to the high rates of opioid analgesics, and

identifies areas ripe for intervention."

In the accompanying Commentary, researchers offer

recommendations to improve current pain management in primary

care while simultaneously decreasing diversion, abuse and

overdoses of opioid medication. These recommendations include:

Comprehensive and contemporary training for pain management

care providers -including physicians, nurses, dentists and

pharmacists -- covering the latest research advances on pain

and addiction and new drug treatment options.

Supporting the American Pain Society guidelines, which

include plans to develop and roll out screening procedures for

those at risk for abuse and dependence (e.g. adolescent or

young adults, individual or family history of substance abuse

history.)

Increasing public awareness and responsibility of the

addiction risks, to curb sharing or theft of the medication

within families.

The research was conducted by The National Institute on Drug

Abuse, of the National Institutes of Health, while Dr. McLellan

was serving as Deputy Director of the United States Office of

National Drug Control Policy.

Penn Medicine researchers are already looking into possible

solutions to address these issues. Dr. McLellan leads the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions that will translate

addiction research into evidence-based practical applications to

be used locally, nationally and globally.

Collaborators from the Penn Pain Medicine Center will partner

with Penn's Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and Department

of Internal Medicine to develop a "Patient-Centered Medical

Home" care model for patients with chronic pain problems. This

new process integrates care provided by primary care physicians

and specialists in an effort to provide high-quality,

comprehensive care to patients. New health care information

technology, such as electronic health care records and

Internet-based collection of patient outcomes, will be used to

improve coordination of care. Researchers hope that

Patient-Centered Medical Home model will improve pain care and

lower the chances of diversion and abuse of pain medications.

"The research published today clearly demonstrates the risk of

harm that pain medications can cause when used incorrectly,"

said Ashburn, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of Anesthesiology

and Critical Care and director of Pain Medicine at the

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "We hope our

efforts will demonstrate that improvements can be made to the

patient care process and lead to improved pain control and a

lower risk of abuse and diversion of these medications."

[Guest guest]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405161906.htm

Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of

Medications in America

ScienceDaily (Apr. 6, 2011)

— Two reports by addiction researchers at the University of

Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Institute on

Drug Abuse show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns

impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America.

The reports, published in JAMA, recommend a

comprehensive effort to reduce public health risks while

improving patient care, including better training for

prescribers, pain management treatment assessment, personal

responsibility and public education.

The JAMA Research Report shows that there has been

a drastic increase in opioid prescriptions while prescriptions

for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gone

down. Prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone account for

84.9 percent of opioid prescriptions. Over ten years, there has

been a fivefold increase in admissions to substance abuse

programs for opioid addiction.

While effective at reducing pain symptoms, opioid medications

such as hydrocodone and oxycodone are associated with high rates

of abuse, particularly among young adults. One in four 18-25

year olds will abuse prescription pain killers in their

lifetime.

Researchers suggest targeting the relatively high rate of

prescriptions to adolescents and young adults, who received 11.7

percent of the 202 million opioid prescriptions in the United

States during 2009. A large share of the prescriptions to young

adults was from dentists, and researchers believe there is a

need for medical professionals to evaluate alternative pain

medications in this particularly vulnerable age group.

"The scope of the problem is vast -- opioid overdose is now the

second leading cause of accidental death in the United States

and the prevalence is second only to marijuana," said

McLellan, PhD, co-author of the studies and director of the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions, housed in the Department

of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of

Medicine. "This study provides valuable information about

factors contributing to the high rates of opioid analgesics, and

identifies areas ripe for intervention."

In the accompanying Commentary, researchers offer

recommendations to improve current pain management in primary

care while simultaneously decreasing diversion, abuse and

overdoses of opioid medication. These recommendations include:

Comprehensive and contemporary training for pain management

care providers -including physicians, nurses, dentists and

pharmacists -- covering the latest research advances on pain

and addiction and new drug treatment options.

Supporting the American Pain Society guidelines, which

include plans to develop and roll out screening procedures for

those at risk for abuse and dependence (e.g. adolescent or

young adults, individual or family history of substance abuse

history.)

Increasing public awareness and responsibility of the

addiction risks, to curb sharing or theft of the medication

within families.

The research was conducted by The National Institute on Drug

Abuse, of the National Institutes of Health, while Dr. McLellan

was serving as Deputy Director of the United States Office of

National Drug Control Policy.

Penn Medicine researchers are already looking into possible

solutions to address these issues. Dr. McLellan leads the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions that will translate

addiction research into evidence-based practical applications to

be used locally, nationally and globally.

Collaborators from the Penn Pain Medicine Center will partner

with Penn's Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and Department

of Internal Medicine to develop a "Patient-Centered Medical

Home" care model for patients with chronic pain problems. This

new process integrates care provided by primary care physicians

and specialists in an effort to provide high-quality,

comprehensive care to patients. New health care information

technology, such as electronic health care records and

Internet-based collection of patient outcomes, will be used to

improve coordination of care. Researchers hope that

Patient-Centered Medical Home model will improve pain care and

lower the chances of diversion and abuse of pain medications.

"The research published today clearly demonstrates the risk of

harm that pain medications can cause when used incorrectly,"

said Ashburn, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of Anesthesiology

and Critical Care and director of Pain Medicine at the

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "We hope our

efforts will demonstrate that improvements can be made to the

patient care process and lead to improved pain control and a

lower risk of abuse and diversion of these medications."

[Guest guest]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405161906.htm

Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of

Medications in America

ScienceDaily (Apr. 6, 2011)

— Two reports by addiction researchers at the University of

Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Institute on

Drug Abuse show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns

impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America.

The reports, published in JAMA, recommend a

comprehensive effort to reduce public health risks while

improving patient care, including better training for

prescribers, pain management treatment assessment, personal

responsibility and public education.

The JAMA Research Report shows that there has been

a drastic increase in opioid prescriptions while prescriptions

for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gone

down. Prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone account for

84.9 percent of opioid prescriptions. Over ten years, there has

been a fivefold increase in admissions to substance abuse

programs for opioid addiction.

While effective at reducing pain symptoms, opioid medications

such as hydrocodone and oxycodone are associated with high rates

of abuse, particularly among young adults. One in four 18-25

year olds will abuse prescription pain killers in their

lifetime.

Researchers suggest targeting the relatively high rate of

prescriptions to adolescents and young adults, who received 11.7

percent of the 202 million opioid prescriptions in the United

States during 2009. A large share of the prescriptions to young

adults was from dentists, and researchers believe there is a

need for medical professionals to evaluate alternative pain

medications in this particularly vulnerable age group.

"The scope of the problem is vast -- opioid overdose is now the

second leading cause of accidental death in the United States

and the prevalence is second only to marijuana," said

McLellan, PhD, co-author of the studies and director of the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions, housed in the Department

of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of

Medicine. "This study provides valuable information about

factors contributing to the high rates of opioid analgesics, and

identifies areas ripe for intervention."

In the accompanying Commentary, researchers offer

recommendations to improve current pain management in primary

care while simultaneously decreasing diversion, abuse and

overdoses of opioid medication. These recommendations include:

Comprehensive and contemporary training for pain management

care providers -including physicians, nurses, dentists and

pharmacists -- covering the latest research advances on pain

and addiction and new drug treatment options.

Supporting the American Pain Society guidelines, which

include plans to develop and roll out screening procedures for

those at risk for abuse and dependence (e.g. adolescent or

young adults, individual or family history of substance abuse

history.)

Increasing public awareness and responsibility of the

addiction risks, to curb sharing or theft of the medication

within families.

The research was conducted by The National Institute on Drug

Abuse, of the National Institutes of Health, while Dr. McLellan

was serving as Deputy Director of the United States Office of

National Drug Control Policy.

Penn Medicine researchers are already looking into possible

solutions to address these issues. Dr. McLellan leads the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions that will translate

addiction research into evidence-based practical applications to

be used locally, nationally and globally.

Collaborators from the Penn Pain Medicine Center will partner

with Penn's Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and Department

of Internal Medicine to develop a "Patient-Centered Medical

Home" care model for patients with chronic pain problems. This

new process integrates care provided by primary care physicians

and specialists in an effort to provide high-quality,

comprehensive care to patients. New health care information

technology, such as electronic health care records and

Internet-based collection of patient outcomes, will be used to

improve coordination of care. Researchers hope that

Patient-Centered Medical Home model will improve pain care and

lower the chances of diversion and abuse of pain medications.

"The research published today clearly demonstrates the risk of

harm that pain medications can cause when used incorrectly,"

said Ashburn, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of Anesthesiology

and Critical Care and director of Pain Medicine at the

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "We hope our

efforts will demonstrate that improvements can be made to the

patient care process and lead to improved pain control and a

lower risk of abuse and diversion of these medications."

[Guest guest]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405161906.htm

Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of

Medications in America

ScienceDaily (Apr. 6, 2011)

— Two reports by addiction researchers at the University of

Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Institute on

Drug Abuse show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns

impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America.

The reports, published in JAMA, recommend a

comprehensive effort to reduce public health risks while

improving patient care, including better training for

prescribers, pain management treatment assessment, personal

responsibility and public education.

The JAMA Research Report shows that there has been

a drastic increase in opioid prescriptions while prescriptions

for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gone

down. Prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone account for

84.9 percent of opioid prescriptions. Over ten years, there has

been a fivefold increase in admissions to substance abuse

programs for opioid addiction.

While effective at reducing pain symptoms, opioid medications

such as hydrocodone and oxycodone are associated with high rates

of abuse, particularly among young adults. One in four 18-25

year olds will abuse prescription pain killers in their

lifetime.

Researchers suggest targeting the relatively high rate of

prescriptions to adolescents and young adults, who received 11.7

percent of the 202 million opioid prescriptions in the United

States during 2009. A large share of the prescriptions to young

adults was from dentists, and researchers believe there is a

need for medical professionals to evaluate alternative pain

medications in this particularly vulnerable age group.

"The scope of the problem is vast -- opioid overdose is now the

second leading cause of accidental death in the United States

and the prevalence is second only to marijuana," said

McLellan, PhD, co-author of the studies and director of the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions, housed in the Department

of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of

Medicine. "This study provides valuable information about

factors contributing to the high rates of opioid analgesics, and

identifies areas ripe for intervention."

In the accompanying Commentary, researchers offer

recommendations to improve current pain management in primary

care while simultaneously decreasing diversion, abuse and

overdoses of opioid medication. These recommendations include:

Comprehensive and contemporary training for pain management

care providers -including physicians, nurses, dentists and

pharmacists -- covering the latest research advances on pain

and addiction and new drug treatment options.

Supporting the American Pain Society guidelines, which

include plans to develop and roll out screening procedures for

those at risk for abuse and dependence (e.g. adolescent or

young adults, individual or family history of substance abuse

history.)

Increasing public awareness and responsibility of the

addiction risks, to curb sharing or theft of the medication

within families.

The research was conducted by The National Institute on Drug

Abuse, of the National Institutes of Health, while Dr. McLellan

was serving as Deputy Director of the United States Office of

National Drug Control Policy.

Penn Medicine researchers are already looking into possible

solutions to address these issues. Dr. McLellan leads the new

Center for Substance Abuse Solutions that will translate

addiction research into evidence-based practical applications to

be used locally, nationally and globally.

Collaborators from the Penn Pain Medicine Center will partner

with Penn's Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and Department

of Internal Medicine to develop a "Patient-Centered Medical

Home" care model for patients with chronic pain problems. This

new process integrates care provided by primary care physicians

and specialists in an effort to provide high-quality,

comprehensive care to patients. New health care information

technology, such as electronic health care records and

Internet-based collection of patient outcomes, will be used to

improve coordination of care. Researchers hope that

Patient-Centered Medical Home model will improve pain care and

lower the chances of diversion and abuse of pain medications.

"The research published today clearly demonstrates the risk of

harm that pain medications can cause when used incorrectly,"

said Ashburn, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of Anesthesiology

and Critical Care and director of Pain Medicine at the

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "We hope our

efforts will demonstrate that improvements can be made to the

patient care process and lead to improved pain control and a

lower risk of abuse and diversion of these medications."