WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin both approved of new CDC recommendations released Tuesday for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain.
“West Virginians know the harmful effects of prescription drug abuse with many stories starting with addiction to painkillers. Having clear rules of the road to guide prescribing practices will help physicians better understand the risks associated with prescription opioids and determine the best treatment for chronic pain management,” said Capito. “Now that the CDC has completed its work on the guidelines for chronic pain, the agency should quickly turn its attention to developing guidelines for acute pain.”
The CDC recommended 12 different guidelines before opioid medications are prescribed.
“These guidelines represent a commonsense approach to preventing opioid addiction and are crucial in our fight to end the drug abuse epidemic,” Manchin said. “I have pushed for the release of these guidelines because I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse on individuals, families, and communities in West Virginia. These guidelines will encourage responsible opioid prescribing practices and are therefore a critical part of our fight to end this epidemic.”
Among the guidelines, clinicians are encouraged prescribe the lowest effective dosage for opioid painkillers.