LARA NEWS RELEASE

April 20, 2018 – The Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission (PDOAC) has released prescribing recommendations for surgeonsemergency departments and dentists when treating acute pain. The recommendations were created in partnership with Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) and University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center.

“The recommendations are intended to provide alternatives to opioids and controlled substances for the treatment of acute pain,” said Judge Linda Davis, chair of the PDOAC and founder of Families Against Narcotics (FAN). “The recommendations are a result of collaboration between multiple stakeholders working relentlessly to combat the opioid epidemic in Michigan.”

The step-by-step recommendations will assist health professionals prepare for appointments, suggest alternative acute pain therapies for patients, and provide post-procedural guidelines to treat acute pain. The recommendations also remind registered health professionals to check the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) prior to patient visits if possible.

“The commission is tasked with looking at the opioid epidemic from a holistic statewide perspective that includes both prevention and treatment,” said Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Injury Center at the University of Michigan. “Providing health professionals with accessible education materials related to pain management will increase awareness about the crisis while potentially curbing opioid prescriptions.”

The PDOAC was created by an executive order by Governor Rick Snyder in June 2016 based on the Report of Findings and Recommendations for Action released by the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Task Force. The 17-member PDOAC — made up of health professionals, law enforcement officers, substance abuse treatment providers, government officials and citizens — serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara