Arizona law intended to limit opioid prescriptions may hurt chronic pain patients

Amy Baxter | | Health Exec | Policy & Regulations

States are desperate to act in response to the national opioid epidemic, but laws limiting opioid prescriptions and doses are negatively impacting chronic pain patients and leaving doctors conflicted about care delivery, NPR reported.

More than two dozen states have implemented laws aimed at curbing the opioid addiction crisis, including Arizona, which recently passed the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act in a unanimous vote. The new state law has made the reduction of opioids “fast and furious,” NPR reported.

Patients With Chronic Pain Feel Caught In An Opioid Prescribing Debate

“Since the passage of the law, some doctors in Arizona report feeling pressure to lower patient doses, even for patients who have been on stable regimens of opioids for years without trouble,” according to NPR.

Read the full story here.

Amy Baxter
Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

Related Content

Texas AG sues hospital for $10K after off-duty police barred from carrying guns
Cardiologists reflect on developing primary PCI in face of criticism and pushback
PBMs sue FTC for allegedly violating the Fifth Amendment
FDA issues Class I alert on Philips ventilators after 4 injuries
Trump selects Emmy-winning TV personality Dr. Oz to head CMS
FDA issues Class I recall of infusion pump batteries due to risk of burns

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Payment cuts and beyond: Key takeaways for cardiologists from the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

AI in Healthcare
A modest proposal to rally AI regulators around a simple game plan

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

Cardiovascular Business
FDA commissioner urges clinicians to join fight against medical misinformation

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup