It’s about time we take a more humanistic approach to #pain and #addiction. Policies to mandate dose reductions without risk\benefit assessments are not evidence based and reflect policy makers “attempts to do something”. That something can harm. healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hbl…
Hmmm. “Surprising #VA Data About Opioid Discontinuation, #Overdose and #Suicide: Clinical Implications” Abstract is sobering. This may challenge some policy initiatives regarding #opioids. Can’t wait to see the presentation! vendome.swoogo.com/2018-rx-summit…
“Due to these concerns, the Veterans Affairs (VA) conducted analyses of national data: 1. In fiscal year 2013, patients prescribed less than 90 morphine equivalent daily dose accounted for 95.8% of the sample & 85.7% of overdose/suicide-related deaths
2. In two sets of fiscal years — 2010-2011 and 2013-2014 — opioid discontinuation was NOT associated with overdose mortality but was associated with INCREASED suicide mortality.