Pennsylvania’s doctors are officially joining the effort to address opioid addiction in the state.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Medical Society announced an initiative called “Be Smart, Be Safe,  and Be Sure.”

 

It calls for  doctors  and patients to work together to  find alternatives to opioid pain pills.

The initiative gives patients questions to answer before taking any pain pills and introduces action steps for doctors to take regarding opioid use.

 

Questions for Patients to Ask Before Taking Pain Pills:

 

1. Is this prescription an opioid?

2. At what level of pain should I take this prescription?

3. Do I have to take every pill in the prescription?

4. Where can I safely dispose of remaining pills?

5. What can I do to avoid addiction?

6. What are possible warning signs of dependence or addiction?

7. What can I do if I believe that I might have developed a dependence on this drug?

 

Action Steps for Physicians to Take: 

 

1. Know the prescribing guidelines.

2. Use the ABC-MAP Database once it is up and running.

3. Refer patients who have a substance use disorder to treatment.

4. Discuss options to opioids with patients.

5. Ask patients to keep their pills safe. When they no longer need a prescribed  medication, properly dispose of the medication.

 

Pennsylvania Medical Society President, Scott Shapiro, MD, said, “medication misuse – whether intentional or not – must be a priority of physicians for the safety of their patients.  Whether it’s grandma taking the wrong pill at the wrong time or a doctor shopper who has an addiction, misuse can have the same devastating impact on a family,” Dr Shapiro said. “That’s why in the past, PAMED takes medication safety seriously, and are kicking off our ‘Opioids for pain: Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Sure.’ initiative.”