The opioid epidemic is continuing to ravage the country. According to the Center for Disease Control, 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids in 2015. In Iowa, there were 46 deaths related to opioids and that number does not appear to be significantly decreasing. Combating opioid abuse requires many different approaches and in the past several years, the House has advanced multiple laws to prevent addiction and to monitor and prosecute those who over prescribe opioids. With new laws in place and the help of medical providers, Iowa may soon turn the corner and begin to win the war against the over prescription and abuse of opioids.
In 2015, Senate File 2218 made naloxone available to assist a person who is overdosing on opioids. When naloxone is administered, the drug reverses the overdose and blocks the effects of opioids. Countless people across the country have been saved by naloxone. In Iowa, a person can receive a prescription for naloxone if they are a family member, friend, health care provider, employee of a substance abuse treatment facility or other person who may be in place to render aid to a person experiencing an overdose. First responders may also obtain and administer the drug. Once naloxone is administered the person suffering the overdose should be seen in a hospital immediately. Naloxone cannot be used as a substitute for opioids and a person cannot get high from the drug.
Another way to combat opioid deaths, is to prevent the addiction from starting. The Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) provides information to prescribers and pharmacists regarding a patients’ use of controlled substances. The PMP can prevent a patient from receiving multiple opioid prescriptions from different doctors at the same time. Monitoring a person’s opioid use can help reduce addiction and can assist doctors and pharmacists in providing the best care. This year, House File 523 expanded access to the PMP to include medical examiners , or a medical examiner investigators. Allowing medical examiners access to the program will allow for better tracking of prescribers and users of these drugs.
While PMP information is helpful, it must include data from other states to truly reduce doctor shopping. House File 524 expanded the PMP beyond surrounding states and allows the Board of Medicine to share PMP data with any state. This helps Iowa and other participating states track doctors and patients to ensure opioids aren’t being over prescribed.
Opioid deaths in Iowa can be reduced, but it may take time. New laws, better treatment and accurate tracking of opioid prescriptions can help reduce the number of people addicted and deaths.