Prescription Drug Abuse
The abuse of prescription drugs continues to be a major concern for both state and federal governments. Efforts to address this epidemic have ranged from instituting prescribing limitations to mandating prescriber education. OMSs are part of the solution to this problem. This is evidenced by the numerous educational resources AAOMS offers to its members as well as membership survey data showing a reduction in the amount of opioids OMSs prescribe for wisdom teeth removal. However, AAOMS does not support unnecessarily inhibiting OMSs’ ability to effectively treat real patient pain.
Trending State Issues: Mandatory Submission of Diagnostic Codes with Prescriptions, Prescription Limits and E-prescribing Mandates
As the nation seeks ways to address the opioid crisis, several states now mandate the inclusion of ICD-10 or other diagnosis codes on prescriptions for controlled substances. Several private pharmacies also have implemented this requirement.
In addition, many states imposed a prescribing cap for controlled substances, with most states adopting a three-, five- or seven-day cap.
Finally, mandatory e-prescribing is becoming increasingly popular with many states requiring use of the technology when submitting controlled substance prescriptions to the pharmacy.
For more information on the issues facing your state, please view the state legislative tracking map, listen to the most recent Advocacy Flash Update or contact the AAOMS Government Affairs Department.
- Federal Comment Letters
- Date
Letter in support of the Alternatives to PAIN Act
- March 05, 2024
Comment Letter on MAT/MATE Act Implementation
- February 24, 2023
AAOMS letter to CDC re draft opioid prescribing guideline
- April 08, 2022
Coalition letter to CMS re: access to non-opioid pain management in hospital outpatient setting
- September 17, 2021
AAOMS Comments to FDA re: blister packaging
- January 14, 2021
Comment letter to HHS Pain Mgmt. Best Practices Task Force Draft Report
- February 15, 2019
AAOMS Letter to House Sponsors of the CARA 2.0 Act of 2018 Re: Prescription Drug Abuse
- April 09, 2018
AAOMS Letter to House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Re: Prescription Drug Abuse
- April 09, 2018
AAOMS Letter to Senate Sponsors of the CARA 2.0 Act of 2018 Re: Prescription Drug Abuse
- April 09, 2018
AAOMS Letter of Comment to FDA Re: Opioid Steering Committee
- December 19, 2017
AAOMS Support Letter to Senate HELP Leadership Regarding Hearing on Fed. Response to the Opioid Crisis
- October 02, 2017
AAOMS Support Letter to House E&C Committee Leadership Regarding Meeting to Discuss the Opioid Epidemic
- September 29, 2017
Support Letter to Senate HELP Committee Regarding Opioid Epidemic
- October 02, 2017
AAOMS submits support letter to Rep. Clark (D-MA) and E&C Health Subcommitte on HR 4955, the Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016
- April 20, 2016
AAOMS sends support letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for S. 2578, the Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016
- April 18, 2016
Coalition Comment Letter to DEA Re: The Reclassification of Hydrocodone-containing Combination Drug
- March 01, 2014
- State Comment Letters
- Date