The key to the federal government’s efforts to rein in alarming rates of opioid abuse is getting doctors to think twice before prescribing powerful painkillers. A new study indicates that at least one measure the government has taken to try to reduce opioid prescriptions has fallen flat.

In the study, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent letters informing 1,525 doctors that they were prescribing opioids far more frequently than average. The typical doctor contacted was prescribing four times as many Schedule II controlled substances as the average doctor.

Unfortunately, the letters did not produce the intended effect. The prescription rates did not significantly decline.

It’s hard to tell whether it was the method or the specifics of the letter that are responsible for the apparent failure. It’s possible that a more strongly-worded letter could work, suggest experts.

"I think if there is a way to make these letters effective it may be one tool in the arsenal to curb the high rate of opioid deaths," Adam Sacarny of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York City told Reuters.

The authors concluded their study, which was published in Health Affairs, with: “Learning about the potential of light-touch interventions, both effective and ineffective, will help produce a better toolkit for policy makers to improve the value and safety of health care.

In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. Senate is poised to pass a bill aimed at tackling opioid abuse. Although there is disagreement over whether to include $600 million in emergency funds requested by the White House, there is general consensus in favor of long-term efforts to fund efforts in prevention, treatment and research to reduce abuse of both prescription drugs and heroin, which are closely linked.

Instant Insights /

Doctors not swayed by letters on opioid prescriptions

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You