Publications

Three of every four pharmaceutical overdose deaths in 2010 involved opioids, according to the CDC. This sobering statistic focused attention on the rapid acceleration and devastating impact of the epidemic of opioid use disorder in the United States. Throughout the country, individuals and families faced challenges stemming from the overprescribing of opioids, easy access to heroin and other illicit drugs, and a shortage of treatment for opioid dependence and addiction. In 2018, 128 people died per day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, and the challenges of obtaining treatment for opioid use disorder have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several measures can be considered to fight the opioid epidemic while we are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic including eliminating the requirement for waivers to prescribe buprenorphine and ending requirements that nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses have formal oversight by physicians, Additionally, NPs and other advanced practice nurses are educated to independently provide patient care in collaborative professional teams. Restrictions on their practice do not have any beneficial effect on patient safety or the quality of care and have reduced access to care.