JUPITER, Fla., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With opioids
commonly used for pain management for workplace injuries, employers
now face a newcomer in the prescription drug market that has led to
nationwide fatalities.
The synthetic opioid called U-47700, or "pink", is approximately
seven to eight times stronger than heroin or morphine, resulting in
likelihood of addiction, abuse or death.
Suzanne Smolkin, vice president,
clinical operations, Behavioral Health for HMC HealthWorks,
explained the opioid drug is less expensive yet stronger than
heroin.
"Opioid use, including 'pink', creates significant biochemical
changes in the brain and the addiction is difficult to overcome,"
said Smolkin. "With the drug more potent than heroin and
morphine, and available online for less than $10 in some cases, individuals seeking
inexpensive and immediate relief to chronic pain open a door to
potential abuse or worse."
The drug can be pressed into pill format and marketed as a wide
variety of prescription opioids. The U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) has temporarily banned the drug, linking it to
88 deaths in the U.S. in the last year. As healthcare providers
write more than 250 million prescriptions for painkillers each
year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
opioid abuse in the workplace continues to rise. Employers need to
help educate employees about the dangers of opioid use, in
particular, injured employees.
"The goal of prescription medications is to create favorable
treatment outcomes and quality of life," explained Dr. Janis DiMonaco, president and founder, HMC
HealthWorks. "Workplace-related injuries often necessitate
prescription painkillers. This presents a unique challenge for
employers. They need to ensure their partnerships with
benefit providers give them concrete action steps on how to deal
with this nationwide and sometimes lethal epidemic."
Employees who are at risk also include those individuals with
mental illness, long-term opioid use, or who work with multiple
physicians.
"Opioid medications create serious risks at work," Dr. DiMonaco
added. "Employees should know they can discuss their concerns
about painkillers confidentially."
Outside of promoting drug-free workplace initiatives, employers
can also implement Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to offer
employees in need to appropriate interventions and treatment, among
other benefits. As employers seek to control costs, a sound
benefit plan can support them with federal regulation compliance
and offer access to ethical treatment for opioid abuse.
About HMC HealthWorks
HMC HealthWorks, the premier national provider of population
healthcare management programs, offers plan sponsors value-added
programs including Integrated Clinical Solutions, Chronic Care
Management, Behavioral Health Solutions, Wellness/Lifestyle
Coaching, and Care Coordination.
For more information, please contact:
Christy Heady
Media Relations, HMC HealthWorks
(561) 972-9726
cheady@hmcebs.com
www.hmchealthworks.com
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SOURCE HMC HealthWorks