Contact: Rep. John Nygren, (888) 534-0089

Madison– State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, released to following statement in reaction to Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data:

“The data released by the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is very promising. When comparing the 2017 April-June time period to the same months in 2016, 2017 saw 17 million fewer opioid prescriptions. This represents a 12% decrease from the previous year. This 12% decrease helps close the door to future addiction.

“I firmly believe that this decrease is a direct result of the hard work we have done in the state legislature. We voted to improve best practices regarding prescribing controlled substances by allowing medical boards to set prescribing guidelines to help minimize the instances of over-prescribing and reduce the chance of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction. In addition, we created reporting requirements for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The PDMP is a valuable resource, connecting prescribers and pharmacists around the state, allowing prescribers and pharmacists to collaborate to provide more informed care.

“The data is clear and reports that many prescribers are now more conscious of their prescribing practices, often looking for non-opioid solutions to pain.  With that said, now is not the time to get complacent, we must build on this great news, there are still a lot more lives to save.”

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email