Cancer Pain – Opioid Laws

Transcript

How have the changes in opioid laws affected cancer patients suffering from pain? The changes in opioid laws have helped curtail some of the opioid non-compliance with addiction and misuse. However, it has also affected patients who have needed opioids for cancer pain. Many physicians are hesitant to increase opioids due to increased restrictions and the social stigma of opioid deaths and abuse. Although the laws have tried to minimize the abuse, there are many patients who may not be getting the appropriate medical care due to fears of lawsuits and social stigmas associated with opioids.