Aug. 28, 2020: State Advocacy Update

The AMA has updated its compilation of select 2020 research as part of its continued work to provide relevant, evidence-based data, research and other information to help inform evidence-based solutions to the nation’s drug overdose epidemic. The August update includes research published by the CDC, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Government Accountability Office and Health Affairs:

• New data showing syringe service programs (SSP) play a pivotal role in distributing naloxone to help save lives from overdose. The research found that 263 of the nation’s SSPs distributed more than 700,000 doses of naloxone in the 12-month study period.
• Current data from DuPage County, Illinois, showing increases in overdose and suicide during the first six months of 2020.
• Research showing that in-patient receipt of medications to help treat opioid use disorder was associated with a decreased risk of “against medical advice” discharge.
• A “secret shopper” study showing the association of pregnancy and insurance status with treatment access for opioid use disorder.
• Comparative data showing that quality increased for patients treated by primary care physicians, as well as specialists for patients receiving buprenorphine as part of their treatment.
• Findings that the “use of injectable and implantable buprenorphine to treat [opioid use disorder] is relatively low compared to oral forms of buprenorphine.”

The research compilation can be found on the AMA overdose microsite.

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