To address the problem, researchers suggested banning commission payments to drug reps for marketing opioids, stiffer monitoring of opioid advertisements and use of real-time electronic prescription databases to prevent overlapping prescriptions.
Researchers also suggested educational outreach programs to help physicians improve opioid prescribing and more research to guide practice. They said evidence on use of opioids to control chronic pain is very limited.
Related Articles on Opioids for Pain Management:
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Half of Patients Prescribed Opioids Still Taking Them Five Years Later
