Study Finds State Policies Reduce Opioids, but Worker Advocates Bemoan Lack of Alternatives

A new study has found that drug monitoring programs and recently implemented policies limiting the period of initial prescriptions have reduced opioids in workers’ compensation, but injured worker advocates say the data doesn’t properly account for alternative treatments or workers who may require high-strength pain relief. Researchers from the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that in the first year of implementation, must-access prescription drug monitoring programs cut the morphine milligram equivalent amount for opioids prescribed by 12%. WCRI’s study al...