By Scott A. Sigman, MD
Even as COVID-19 dominates headlines, the opioid crisis continues. As an orthopedic surgeon, I have worked diligently to change the way patients are treated for pain after surgery, consciously reducing opioid use and incorporating more opioid alternatives. I’m puzzled by a recent policy proposal that could impede my ability to do this.
Treating pain without opioids has become possible for many patients through novel drugs approved by a regulatory process called 505(b)(2). Now, access to these treatments is in jeopardy.
Victory over pain is the greatest gift an anesthesiologist like me can offer his patients. I discovered that firsthand when I switched from general surgery to anesthesiology 20 years ago.
When doctors like myself have the freedom to prescribe effective, FDA-approved treatments to their patients, everyone wins. But deciding the right type, dose and duration of pain medications can be challenging.