The following statement is attributable to:
Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A.
Chair, AMA Opioid Task Force
“The new labeling can serve as a starting point for discussion between patients and physicians about risks and benefits associated with opioids and factors that might lead to unintentional overdose for patients taking prescribed opioid analgesics as well as those being treated for a substance use disorder. The AMA has encouraged physicians to prescribe naloxone to patients at risk of overdose as part of a proactive and coordinated public health approach to opioid-related overdoses. With overdoses increasing, the more harm-reduction strategies we can employ and the increased access patients have to naloxone, the better.”
Media Contact
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
