New Colorado Medical Board guidance on prescribing and dispensing of opioids

Wednesday, June 25, 2014 10:33 AM

Physicians are strongly urged to review and implement as appropriate new guidance from the Colorado Medical Board (CMB) for prescribing opioids for the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain. These new guidelines are a critical part of Colorado’s overall effort to reduce the medically inappropriate use of opioids. Although the new guidance does not set a standard of care for prescribers, it does represent CMB’s current thinking on this important topic. The Colorado Medical Society strongly supports Gov. John Hickenlooper’s efforts to reverse the escalating trend of opioid abuse and misuse in Colorado.

CMS appointed a special Committee on Prescription Drug Abuse earlier this year and actively participates in the Colorado Consortium to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse. Click here to review the new CMB guidance. This policy is expected to be adopted by the licensing boards regulating nursing, dentistry and pharmacy later this summer.