Physicians take steps against opioid epidemic, mortality rises

CHICAGO — A new AMA report on opioids highlights the limited effects of mandates to stem an epidemic that claims about 130 people every day—underscoring the immediate need for policymakers to focus on removing barriers to evidence-based treatment.

The 2019 Opioid Progress Report found that physicians and other health care professionals are taking significant actions in the face of the epidemic, and some reports suggest that prescription opioid-related mortality may be leveling off. Yet, death from heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are at historic levels.

This is the third annual AMA report on actions physicians have taken.