Through our articles, resources and multiple communications CMS offers ongoing educational services to its members and their practices.
Prescription drug abuse and misuse is serious problem in Colorado and around the United States. In 2010, more than 38,000 people died from a drug overdose in the United States – one every 14 minutes. Nearly 60 percent of those deaths involved prescription drugs and, of those, 75 percent were opioid painkillers. In Colorado, the number of drug overdose deaths range from 250-500 per year; in 2010 it was just over 300.
The rates of misuse and overdose death cut across all demographics, though they’re highest among men, persons ages 20-64, non-Hispanic whites, and those in poor and rural areas.
A small percentage of providers prescribe the majority of controlled substances but providers who do prescribe these medications frequently inherently see more higher-risk patients and are more likely to have patients who are doctor shopping for opioids.
Colorado is working to develop a coordinated response among the many stakeholders. Colorado Medical Society leaders actively participate in the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and support the Colorado Board of Pharmacy’s efforts to enhance the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) system.
Check back often for more resources related to physicians and prescription drug abuse, misuse and prevention.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
COPIC Comment: What else can we do to address opioids?
Thursday, March 01, 2018
“Dreamland in Denver”
Stakeholders gather for evening of powerful talks on opioid epidemic
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Public policy in practice
Panel on opioid legislation outlines evolution of policy response to epidemic
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
AMA launches “Share Your Story” campaign to document barriers to care in pain management
Monday, January 01, 2018
Teamwork for positive results
Kaiser Permanente Colorado: Demonstrating best practices in pain management
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
Final Word: Prescription drug abuse survey presents opportunities to reduce the opioid crisis
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
2017 CMS Annual Meeting - Opioid update
Latest developments in the opioid crisis
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Opioid prescribing: Call to action
CMS BOD passes new policy
Friday, September 01, 2017
The final word: The opioid epidemic: Let’s keep working
Friday, September 01, 2017
Multi-pronged approach
Payers respond to the opioid epidemic
Friday, September 01, 2017
Controlled substances
A practical approach to avoiding the pitfalls of prescribing
Friday, September 01, 2017
Facing scrutiny
Peer review and regulators
Friday, September 01, 2017
Utilizing risk management
REMS is not a four-letter word
Friday, September 01, 2017
Case study: Swedish Medical Center is reducing opioid use in the emergency department
Friday, September 01, 2017
Physician health program
Addressing the opioid epidemic