Agency works to reduce addiction
We agree with the Dispatch’s editorial Wednesday (“Ohio targets killer epidemic”) that actions last week by Gov. John Kasich to limit opioid prescriptions “could have significant impact.”
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has taken similar steps in the past six years with impressive results: We reduced the number of injured workers physically dependent on opioids from 8,029 in 2011 to 4,101 in 2016, a near 50 percent drop. The number of injured workers receiving an opioid prescription fell by 51 percent, and the percentage of our injured-worker population receiving an opioid prescription fell from 73 percent to 62 percent, the lowest level since 2002.
Our approach began with the principle that each statistic represents a human being who needs help. We have developed stronger monitoring of prescriptions and prior authorization controls, we dropped coverage of certain opioids, and we established a rule requiring physicians to use best medical practices when prescribing opioids or risk losing their BWC certification.
If injured workers become addicted to opioids covered by our agency, we’ll pay their recovery expenses for up to 18 months. And, new this year, we restrict first prescriptions for opioids to seven days or 30 doses.
The opioid epidemic is a complicated, heart-wrenching crisis with no easy answer. But state government has an obligation to watch out for our neighbors, and we are working to protect them from this epidemic.
Sarah D. Morrison Administrator/CEO The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Columbus Columbus