Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The 'Opioid War Casualties': Intense Crackdown On Drugs Cuts Off Access To Patients With Chronic Pain
States that are enacting regulations on opioids have, in theory, built in ways for people with chronic pain to continue getting the medication they need. But patients say that's not what's happening.
Chronic pain patients and the groups that represent them say the escalating government response to opioid addiction ignores their need for the painkillers and doctors who will prescribe them, leaving some out of work, bedridden聽and even聽suicidal.聽Tough state laws on prescribing that took effect Sunday,聽Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dosage guidelines and state and federal charges against doctors who prescribe opioids are an overreaction to addiction, according to several dozen people with unremitting pain who contacted聽USA TODAY.聽(O'Donnell and Chu, 7/2)
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