opioids News

Opioid Addiction in Sights of New Mexico Lawmakers

With one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the nation, New Mexico has been working for years to curb what has now been identified by the highest levels of government as a national epidemic. The state was the …

New Workers’ Comp Reimbursement Rules Take Effect In Michigan

Changes in how doctors are paid for treating some injured employees covered by workers’ compensation are expected to address the long-term use of pain relievers and help cut medical costs for Michigan job providers, according to state officials. The new …

Painkiller Prescribing Varies By State, Highest in South; Florida Reverses Trend: CDC

Health care providers in some states prescribe far more painkillers than those in other states, according to a new government report. Health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid painkillers in 2012 – many more in some states than …

Drugmakers Work on Safer Painkillers as Opioid Abuse Epidemic Rages

Backed by a U.S. campaign to slow abuse of prescription painkillers, drugmakers are devising new forms of the medicines that don’t lead to misuse and new products that treat dependency in a bid to change the face of a $9.4 …

Physicians Failing to Treat Narcotics Abuse by Injured Workers: Study

Nearly 1 in 12 injured workers given narcotics are still on them 3 to 6 months later as few doctors appear to be following recommended treatment guidelines to prevent abuse, according to new research. This report, “Longer-Term Use of Opioids,” …

Study: Drug Testing Driving Calif. Workers’ Comp Costs

It’s no surprise that pharmaceuticals are one of the leading drivers of workers’ compensation costs in California, but a study issued on Wednesday shows the skyrocketing cost of drug testing is taking a spot as a major cost driver in …