Statement attributed to:
Patrice A. Harris, M.D.
Chair-elect, American Medical Association
"The AMA is pleased the FDA approved a new implantable option to help treat patients with substance use disorders. With nearly 2 million Americans needing treatment for opioid use disorder, patients will benefit from increased options for medication-assisted treatment.
"Today's approval by FDA, however, is only one of many steps we must take to rein in our spiraling opioid crisis. As physicians, we must avoid initiating opioids for new patients with chronic non-cancer pain unless the expected benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks; we must limit the amount of opioids prescribed for post-operative care and acutely-injured patients; and we must register for and use our state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs to assist in the care of patients when considering the use of controlled substances. There is no panacea to the opioid crisis."
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
