Pain Management

Substance Abuse Programs

Policy 0008

02/01/2000 Introduced
02/01/2005 Reapproved
11/01/2009 Reapproved

02/21/2018 Revised

Management of Opioids

Policy 1306

06/01/2013 Introduced

04/23/2018 Revised

02/13/2019 Revised

Prescription opioid medications can be effective for the treatment and management of severe acute pain; however, these medications are associated with serious risks to patients, including misuse, overdose, and death. To ensure the safe and appropriate use of opioid medications, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) supports policies that facilitate the ability of health plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to effectively manage the use of opioids in their patient populations. Policies that address opioid use must strike an appropriate balance between the potential benefits and associated risks to patients.

AMCP supports the ongoing development and use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and the expansion of PDMP access to include health plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Allowing these organizations access to PDMPs will enhance their ability to recognize and assist patients who may be at risk for misuse or diversion of opioids and other controlled substances.
AMCP supports mandatory electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) for opioids and other controlled substances as a means to reduce the potential for prescription forgery and errors and identify and minimize overprescribing.

AMCP further advocates for sensible changes to existing federal and state laws to authorize implementation of safeguards, including Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs, education on overdose prevention and treatment, naloxone distribution programs, and programs that facilitate proper disposal of unused prescription medications.

006/01/2013 Introduced*

04/23/2018 Revised (*subject originally included policy on abuse deterrent and tamper resistant formulations, those subjects now included in Policy 1802)