Pain Doctor’s Society ASIPP Calls U.S. Prescription Drug Abuse “Epidemic”

Posted by admin on June 27, 2010 under Prescription Drugs | Be the First to Comment

FROM:  AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL PAIN PHYSICIANS
81 LAKEVIEW DRIVE
PADUCAH, KY 42001
www.asipp.org

Rubenstein Public Relations
Contact: Adam Mazur / Tel: 212-843-8073
Email: amazur@rubensteinpr.com

Recent O.D. of Brittany Murphy and J&J Heiress Casey Johnson Underscores Need For Tougher Drug Monitoring

NEW YORK– January 15, 2010 – There is a grim fact that ties together the recent deaths of Clueless actress Brittany Murphy and heiress Casey Johnson, as well as last summer’s passing of “King of Pop” Michael Jackson and before that actor Heath Ledger.  You could even go back to the real “King” Elvis Presley’s death (he’d have turned 75 this month if he were alive) – despite recent studies suggesting a decrease in non-medically administered prescription drug use, the number of Americans who die as a result of abuse is still alarmingly high.

And it’s no coincidence that it seems like another high profile person in this country is dying of matters related to the mismanagement of prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Xanax and Propofol – each and every week.

The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), the organization which proposed the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER), a bill that allows for nationwide drug monitoring to help stem the tide of rampant prescription drug abuse, is calling for much tougher drug monitoring, training and testing on a national level.

“Prescription drug abuse in this country is out of control and I can safely predict the list of high-profile deaths like Brittany Murphy and Casey Johnson is only going to get longer because too many people including regular citizens have had fairly easy access to this excess for far too long,” remarked Dr. David Kloth, ASIPP past president and board member. “Americans have to wake up and realize that we are facing a national epidemic that is killing our loved ones every day – not just celebrities and socialites.”

“The problem is not the medication alone, but rather those prescribing the drugs without adequate control and training and patients who abuse the medication and do not follow their doctors’ orders. That’s why we propose more rigorous standards and certification for physicians dispensing pain medication otherwise, patients will continue to abuse and the overdoses and deaths will continue to mount,” added Kloth.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, nearly 7 million Americans are abusing prescription drugs — more than the number abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants, combined and twenty-five percent of drug-related emergency department visits are associated with abuse of prescription drugs.

ASIPP says that physicians who prescribe pain medications need to be properly trained. These medications can only be prescribed by a physician with an active DEA license in the state within which they are working or prescribing. Additionally, patients must be informed about the dangers of over medicating, which can lead to a potentially fatal overdose.

About The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
ASIPP’s mission statement is to promote the development and practice of safe, high quality, cost-effective Interventional Pain Management techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of pain and related disorders, and to ensure patient access to these interventions.  Founded in 1998 by current CEO Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, ASIPP is a rapidly growing not-for-profit organization that supports the needs of physicians who practice Interventional Pain Management across the country.

Since its inception, the organization has had substantial impact on the practice of interventional pain medicine, resulting in an impressive list of major achievements.  In 2005, ASIPP succeeded in passing The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER), which provides and improves patient access to quality care, and protects patients and physicians from the deleterious effects of controlled substance misuse, abuse and trafficking.  ASIPP is headquartered in Paducah, KY and currently has over 5,000 members.  For more information, visit www.asipp.org, call 212-843-8073 or email amazur@rubensteinpr.com.