title: Appropriate prescribing of opiates as professional conduct.
abstract: Prescription drug abuse/misuse in Rhode Island and the US is an epidemic. Chronic pain is often treated with prescription opiates which offer some relief, yet present risks to the patient of dependence, addiction and overdose. Physicians find themselves at times at odds with their patients regarding the management of pain and may feel bullied or pressured regarding prescribing. The Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline recognizes the value of established parameters for responsible and safe prescribing.
authors.affiliation: Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline for the State of Rhode Island.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012237:Rhode Island
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Prescription drug abuse; responsible prescribing; www.health.ri.gov/saferx