Indiana State Health Commissioner Testifies In Support Of Limits On Opioid Prescriptions

Last updated on Thursday, March 16, 2017

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome M. Adams Wednesday testified about the important role prescribers play in attacking the drug epidemic during testimony in support of Senate Bill 226. The bill limits the amount of opioids prescribed during a first-time encounter between a patient and a healthcare provider.

Highlights of Dr. Adams' remarks to the House Public Health Committee include:

Indiana has one of the highest rates of opioid prescribing in the country.
Nearly 80 percent of heroin users say their addiction started with a prescription opioid.
Prescribers regularly say statutory limits would protect them and better enable them to refuse opioid prescriptions for suspected drug-seeking patients.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams says the House Public Health Committee passed Senate Bill 226 passed 10-0.

"Keeping unnecessary opioids out of medicine cabinets and off the streets is a key component in our fight against the drug epidemic," Dr. Adams said. "While opioids do have a role in pain management, empowering prescribers to make the safest choices for their patients will help save lives in Indiana. That's simply good medicine."

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.

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