CHARLESTON – Attorney General Patrick Morrisey finalized his plan to reduce opioid painkiller use by better equipping West Virginia’s prescribers and pharmacists.
The first-of-its-kind initiative in West Virginia has garnered broad support from stakeholders across the state and nation.
“Finalizing these best practices set West Virginia on course to a brighter tomorrow,” Morrisey said. “This initiative recognizes the crucial role prescribers and dispensers play.”
Morrisey said prescribers’ broad support emboldens his belief that West Virginians can slash usage of these addictive painkillers by at least 25 percent and save many from a life of addiction.
Finalization of the best practices initiative continues Morrisey’s push to reduce prescription of opioid medication as a first-line therapy option.
These drugs, such as Lortab and Vicodin, have characteristics similar to heroin and experts agree those medications can lead to heroin abuse and addiction, a progression that has killed far too many in West Virginia, according to the Attorney General’s Office’s press release.
“I first want to specifically commend your efforts to help reverse the opioid epidemic that has ravaged West Virginia,” wrote Dr. James Madara, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Medical Association. “It is a tragic understatement to say that generations of families have been affected by opioid misuse, overdose and death. The AMA shares your belief that primary prevention and public education are key components of a public health plan to halt the epidemic and protect future generations.”
Morrisey’s plan provides recommendations to prescribers and pharmacists who prescribe or dispense opioid prescriptions across West Virginia. It is designed to reduce misuse, while preserving legitimate patient access to necessary treatment.
“Your Best Practices for Prescribing Opioids promotes excellence in care, and, together with your guidelines for dispensers and health care payers, can provide an effective resource for health care professionals and others,” wrote Dr. Paula Taylor and Brian Foy, respectively president and executive director of the West Virginia State Medical Association.
“We welcome and support the recent Best Practices Plan,” wrote Robert C. Knittle, executive director of the state’s Board of Medicine. “Only through such concerted and combined efforts will we begin to impact the opioid epidemic.”
The best practices initiative urges prescribers to regularly monitor their patient’s use of opioid drugs; utilize physical exams and urine tests to spot evidence of misuse; and educate each patient about the risks of opioid treatment, only then approving such a prescription after a screening and consideration of non-opioid alternatives.
“It is clear that Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey, is looking out for the best interest of the patient,” wrote Holly L. Harvey, secretary for the state’s Board of Chiropractic. “We feel that the best practice guidelines underscore the importance of all the healthcare providers working together to do what is best for the patient. It is admirable that input is being gathered from all the professions who can help improve this epidemic in our state.”
Pharmacists are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of each patient, prescriber and prescription, in addition to ensuring the medication, dose, quantity and any mix thereof is safe and appropriate.
“We strongly encourage all healthcare professionals to support and adopt these guidelines into their daily practices,” wrote Jonathan Kline, president of the state’s Society of Health System Pharmacists. “We feel strongly that pharmacists have a vital role in the efforts to reduce the use of prescription opioids.”
The suggestions underscore the importance of both professions utilizing the state’s controlled substance monitoring database; educating patients about safe use, storage and disposal of opioid drugs; and incorporating naloxone into opioid treatment discussions.
“We encourage healthcare providers to adopt these guidelines in their facilities,” wrote Sarah Black and Mary Hager, respectively president and legislative chair for the West Virginia Occupational Therapy Association. “We believe West Virginia’s opioid problem will be vastly reduced as these best practices are implemented across the state.”
The proposal does not impact patients suffering pain as active cancer treatments or palliative and end-of-life care.
"Prescription drug abuse effects every resident in WV, directly or indirectly, and we are confident that Mr. Morrisey and his staff are moving in the right direction by partnering with the varied health professions and coordinating efforts to educate the public on alternative treatment methods for managing pain,” wrote Lori Ellison and Roxanne Clay, respectively chairwoman and executive director of the state’s Board of Examiners in Counseling.
In 2015, West Virginia recorded approximately 686 drug overdose deaths, including 598 opioid-related fatal overdoses.
That’s one year after West Virginia led the nation in drug overdose deaths at a rate of 35.5 per 100,000 people.
Reversing that trend has been a top priority for Morrisey. He has fought the epidemic on multiple fronts with criminal prosecutions, increased funding, education, civil litigation, multi-state initiatives, new technology and engagement with the faith-based community.
Just last month, Morrisey partnered with the Board of Pharmacy to enhance the state’s controlled substance monitoring database and several other groups to reduce the use of opioids in high school athletics.
Others supporting Morrisey’s best practices include the state’s Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic and Acupuncture, the state’s Board of Examiners in Counseling and the state’s Massage Therapy Licensure Board, the state’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, Primary Care Association, Academy of Family Physicians, Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, Physical Therapy Association, Occupational Therapy Association, Association of Licensing Boards and the Family Medicine Foundation of West Virginia, along with the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Massage Therapy Association, International Association of Yoga Therapists and the American Meditation Society.