A recent Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC reviewed the epidemic of drug overdose (poisoning) deaths in the USA. Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137%, including a 200% increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (opioid pain relievers and h…
rheumnow.com
After 4 jolly good meds (Metformin, Hydroxychloroquine, Tofacitinib, Rituximab), meet a golly bad 1: OPIOIDS. It accounts for more deaths in the USA than road accidents and gun violence.
While general practitioners in the USA account for the bulk of opioid prescriptions owing to their large numbers, pain specialists lead the pack in terms of prescriptions per prescriber.
nlm.nih.gov
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bold federal effort to curb prescribing of painkillers may be faltering amid stiff resistance from drugmakers, industry-funded groups and,…
bigstory.ap.org
Alarmed by the rising use and abuse of opioids, and the ease of re-use even in those with previous overdose, the CDC rushed in with “guidelines”, where even the FDA feared to tread. The push-back from big pharma, pain practitioners and patient groups was robust. Sounds like the gun control debate?
Wayne J Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reacting to its Draft Guideline for the Use of Opioids for Chronic Pain.
rheumnow.com
Here’s the ACP lending support to the CDC with some motherhood statements.
Over the last few decades, medicine has witnessed a sea change in attitudes toward chronic pain, and particularly toward opioids. While these changes were intended to bring relief to many, they have also fed an epidemic of prescription opioid and heroin abuse.
medicalxpress.com
A call for balance in a polarising debate. A call to strengthen patient-physician communication.
rheumatologynews.com|By Rheumatology News
Here’s proof that legislation works, and fast. What’s needed is political will.
President Barack Obama’s administration is facing mounting bipartisan frustration over its response to the heroin and opioid prescription painkiller abuse crisis in a dispute…
www.bloomberg.com
So, is the bipartisan political will now saying the FDA is complicit with Big Pharma and Dirty Docs in spawning the narcotics epidemic?
Dr. Robert Califf, the acting commissioner, acknowledged the broader concern from Congress as the agency had come under fire for continuing to approve opioids.
www.nytimes.com|By SABRINA TAVERNISE
What are the consequences of treating Fibromyalgia with opioids?
www.medscape.com
Use of opioids in Fibromyalgia is so wrong. Not only is it proven ineffective for pain relief, it leads to tolerance and addiction, and aggravates FM problems like constipation, mental clouding and sleep disorder. Worse, opioids signal through TLR4 to activate microglia, resulting in neuroinflammation causing hyperalgesia and perpetuating central sensitisation.