Problem Background
APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) have the authority to prescribe medications, including opioids. However, legislators in some states still need to pass laws clarifying the scope of APRN practice. Some legislators defer decision-making on this issue to government agencies. This creates a problem not only in regulating APRN practice but also in addressing “pill mills.”
APRNs’ Strategies to Participate in State Task Forces Addressing Pill Mills
Firstly, APRNs can actively work with legislators, explaining the benefits of their practice and the need for legislative regulation. They can also work with other healthcare professionals to create a coalition speaking with a united voice (Verhamme & Bohnen, 2019). APRNs can use their lobbying skills to get legislators’ attention and become active participants in discussions.
Inclusion of Other Healthcare Professionals
In addition to APRNs, other healthcare professionals should be included in “pill mills” discussions. For example, pharmacists often encounter patients receiving opioids. Patient representatives, addiction experts, and public advocates must also speak out for the public. State agencies and regulatory bodies should also contribute to the discussion to improve control and regulation of opioid distribution.
Besides APRNs, a range of healthcare professionals should be included in the target group to address “pill mills”. This includes primary care physicians who can refer patients for pain treatment and manage long-term prescriptions, as well as pain specialists and psychiatrists who can help chronic pain patients manage their symptoms without the need for opioids.
In addition, pharmacists who fill these “pill mills” with prescriptions should also be included in the discussion. They can provide a unique perspective on how opioid prescriptions are filled and processed in pharmacies. They can also collaborate with APRNs and other healthcare specialists to develop strategies to prevent prescription abuse and to timely identify patients needing help.
Alongside healthcare professionals, state agencies and regulatory authorities may also take part in the conversation. For example, the state health department can develop training programs and resources for pain doctors and other specialists to manage their patients’ pain. Local law enforcement agencies can also help prevent illegal opioid trafficking. Apart from them, regulatory bodies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can also help combat the problem of “pill mills”. They can help develop strict regulations to ban these “mills” and conduct regular inspections to detect violations in the issuance of opioid prescriptions.
Potential Issues That Could Shift the Focus Away From Public Safety
One of the problems that can hinder the focus on public safety during the discussion is the financial interest of certain parties. For example, opioid manufacturers may be financially interested in selling more of their products, and some doctors and clinics may earn more revenue from prescribing opioids (Verhamme & Bohnen, 2019). In such cases, parties may try to persuade the governor or state agency that their practices are safe, despite the real dangers to society. Another problem may be a lack of information or insufficient education of the population on healthcare issues. For example, some people may not know about the risks associated with opioid use and may not understand that prescribing large quantities of opioids can have serious health consequences.
Tactics APRNs Can Use to Maintain Safety Priorities
To direct the discussion toward safety, APRNs can use several tactics. Firstly, they can emphasize their role in the healthcare system and provide evidence that prescribing opioids without properly assessing patients’ conditions can have serious health consequences. Secondly, they can suggest alternative pain treatment methods that may be safer and more effective. For instance, they can discuss non-pharmacological pain treatment methods such as physical therapy or massage. Thirdly, they can present data and research confirming these alternative methods’ effectiveness and the risks associated with opioid use.
Reference
Verhamme, K. M., & Bohnen, A. M. (2019). Are we facing an opioid crisis in Europe? The Lancet Public Health, 4(10), e483-e484.