7/20/16
by News Department on 07/20/16Wolf approves new guidelines...
Gov. Tom Wolf and top state health officials said Tuesday that a new set of voluntary state guidelines is part of an intense focus on combating Pennsylvania’s overdose epidemic and encourages physicians to be judicious when prescribing painkillers.
Gary Tennis, secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, said that in place of painkillers, physicians can turn to physical and cognitive therapies to deal with a patient’s pain.
The guidelines were developed by an administration task force and are being supported in official action taken by state licensing boards for doctors, dentists and pharmacists.
The guidelines stem from research showing that 80 percent of heroin addicts can trace their addiction back to misuse of prescription opioids.
Wolf said he would support legislation to make the prescribing guidelines mandatory.
