Report: Federal Comp Program to Limit Opioids for Injured Workers

Thursday, August 8, 2019 | 0

The federal government announced plans to limit opioid prescriptions to injured workers, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Starting in fall, injured federal workers will be limited to an initial seven-day supply of opioids and a maximum of three additional refills. Medical certification will be required for prescriptions beyond the first 28 days, according to the Associated Press.

The AP reports the U.S. Department of Labor announced the plan on Tuesday. There is no information about new opioid policies on the department’s website, and the agency didn’t return calls on Wednesday.

The Department of Labor oversees the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.

OWCP in April reported that 40,870 federal workers were receiving opioids through 2017 and 2018, with 18,128 receiving the drugs for pain not caused by cancer. Nearly a quarter, 4,166, were receiving prescriptions with daily dosages exceeding the equivalent of 90 milligrams of morphine.