The following statement is attributable to:
Patrice Harris, M.D., M.A.
Chair, AMA Opioid Task Force
Immediate Past President, American Medical Association
“The AMA is pleased that HHS will support physicians to prescribe buprenorphine by removing daunting regulatory barriers and easing stigma facing patients with opioid use disorder.
“Patients are struggling to find physicians who are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine; onerous regulations discourage physicians from being certified to prescribe it.
“With this change, office-based physicians and physician-led teams working with patients to manage their other medical conditions can also treat them for their opioid use disorder without being subjected to separate, burdensome and stigmatizing requirements. Physicians should become educated about managing patients with opioid use disorder to help stem the nationwide overdose epidemic and ease the persistent health disparities facing these patients.
“Treatment with buprenorphine allows patients with opioid use disorder to lead satisfying, productive lives. The policy announced today is a critically important step in making that happen.
"Going forward, the AMA is supporting legislation to remove the waiver requirements altogether and will advocate for that in Congress.”
The AMA urged HHS to change the regulations last year to reduce the epidemic of drug-related overdose and death.
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