Opioid Policy Update

This posting summarizes policy solutions being offered to address the opioid crisis. The American Public Health Association recommends that policy strategies addressing the epidemic must affect both supply and demand of opioids that would be misused and/or abused. Policies are listed in the tables below (Part I), followed by systemic changes that may be helpful in reducing suffering and public expenditures associated with opioid misuse and addiction (Part II). Key stakeholder institutions have issued guidelines on the epidemic and these are briefly discussed in Part III. Opioid Supply and Demand Policies Targeting supply of opioids to prevent misuse Policy Description Notes ePrescribing Require electronic prescribing for all controlled substances. Prescriptions are sent electronically to pharmacies directly from prescribers. ePrescribing also allows for real-time data on opioid use. This policy has been shown to reduce misuse and diversion of opioid