Saving Lives—Building A Modern Pharmacy Program Amid A Deadly Epidemic

March 22nd, 2018 by Tom Lynch

Dr. Terrence Welsh, Medical Director for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, flew into Boston for WCRI’s 2018 conference to talk about Ohio’s attack on the opioid epidemic. He began with two slides worthy of reproduction here. The first is scary indeed:

 

So, in 2011, the Ohio BWC decided to do something about it. Here are some results through 2017:

So, much has been done, but much remains to be done. One of the many things that might be making a difference is this: Outside the box of the claim, Ohio BWC will pay for 18 months of treatment as long as the injured worker/patient complies with the treatment guidelines. This is innovative, but the Bureau doesn’t have outcome data yet. Dr. Welsh pointed out that, as you can imagine, the program isn’t very popular with opioid-dependent injured workers. The program asks them to give up the opioids they have come to know and love for the rest of their lives. A wickedly difficult thing to do. Regardless, the Ohio BWC should be complimented for the measures it has taken to attack this national horrendoma.

Here is a chart showing the decline in opioid prescriptions for Ohio’s injured workers:

What about the future. There’s a long way to go, but the Bureau  has charted a way forward, although it’s a mighty hard road with a lot of potholes, deep and wide.

The Ohio Bureau is working tremendously hard on this issue. The people in it are dedicated and committed to doing all in their power to rescue the many workers who have fallen into the opioid pungy pit. The emphasis they place on the last bullet of the last slide is critical for winning the battle.

 

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