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Maybe we are targeting the wrong group!
Recently, I have read several articles from (reputable) sources which have rated my home-state of West Virginia as being one of the highest, if not the highest state for opioid use and deaths in the United States.
The reasons are socially and economically complex - far too complex for this space. However, let's do examine the pieces to the puzzle: You have those addicted to opioids. The drug manufacturers. The criminal element which imports and sells the drugs illegally. The doctors who prescribe the opioids. The pharmacies which distribute the drugs.
Currently, in West Virginia, many counties are following the lead of Cabell county and suing drug manufacturers for shipping massive amounts of opioids into the state.Wait! Something is wrong with this approach? "Maybe we are targeting the wrong group(s)!"
Let's take a look at the process and perhaps a different and more effective approach to reducing the opioid endemic. The manufacturers are not to blame. They only fill pharmacy orders. And, the pharmacies only fill the prescriptions written by the doctors.
Now, we have a target with two bulls eye's - the pharmacies and the doctors. They should become our target(s). The doctors and pharmacies must be held more accountable for prescriptions written and filled (respectively) . Plain and simple! Both must be placed under closer observation and held more accountable for "to who, what, and how much" is distributed.
Both (pharmacists and doctors) need to realize they will be under closer-than-ever, legal monitoring."Know, your records are subject to review at any time, without violating doctor-patient privilege." This may already be the case, but it needs to be increased to a level never seen before. Every doctor needs to think carefully before they prescribe an opioid, "Wait a minute. The pharmacies are carefully monitoring every script I write." The pharmacies need to think, "The state and federal agencies are monitoring every order which comes into my store and every prescription I fill. I need to report any and all suspicious numbers."
It is NOT the manufacturers. This opioid epidemic is squarely on the shoulders of the doctors and pharmacies.
Some will say this monitoring is already in place. I say, "It is not being done effectively!" For if it was, "West Virginia would not be # 1." We have the resources and the means. We just have to use them properly and to their fullest extent.
And, that is the way I see it.
Until next time,
Michael