Doctors Eye Opioid Restrictions

New Hampshire Union Leader - Article quotes Seddon Savage, adjunct associate professor of anesthesiology and director of the Dartmouth Center on Addiction, Recovery and Education, in an article discussing how two physician groups—and a task force associated with New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan's own commission reviewing the state's opioid crisis—have written letters to the Board of Medicine to rush rules into effect that restrict the ability of doctors to write opioid prescriptions. Savage encouraged the Board of Medicine to take the traditional rulemaking route, which involves public hearings, public input and review by a legislative committee. "Based on our evolving review, it is clear that various mandated policies related to opioid prescribing can have significant impact on patient care that may be positive, but that can result in significant unintended negative consequences as well," says Savage.