Talking Points and Resources for Patients

The Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (MI-OPEN) has multiple tools that can be displayed in waiting areas or shared patients to educate them about opioid laws and how they may impact their care.

Messages for Your Patients 

• Opioids can reduce pain during short-term use, but there is no evidence that opioids control chronic pain long-term.
• Exercise, non-opioid medications, and other therapies are typically more effective with less harm. 
• Regular follow up visits are important during opioid therapy.
• Precautions include checking drug monitoring databases, urine drug testing, and prescribing naloxone if needed to prevent fatal overdose.
• Protect family and friends by storing medications in their original containers and securing in a locked place out of reach of children and pets.
• Safely dispose of unused medications at a local drug take back site or, as a last resort, mix with dirt, kitty litter, or coffee grounds in a sealed container and dispose of in the trash. 

Key Points

In response to the national epidemic of deaths from opioid-related* overdoses, Michigan has implemented rules that restrict how doctors and other medical professionals can dispense certain controlled substance medications.

• Licensed prescribers must have an established relationship with a patient before writing a prescription for opioids.
• Before prescribing an opioid, licensed prescribers are now required to meet with patients and ensure they know and understand:
  • The dangers of opioid addiction
  • How to properly dispose of unused opioid drugs
  • The fact that delivery of a controlled substance is a felony in Michigan
  • The effects of exposing unborn babies to a controlled substance
• Before prescribing an opioid, licensed prescribers are required to first obtain and review a report from the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) – a state monitoring system that tracks all prescriptions for controlled substances. The report provides each patient’s history of controlled substance prescriptions. The system is used to identify potential patient risk and drug misuse issues.
• Under the new law, licensed prescribers can only prescribe a 7-day supply within any 7-day period.
• Opioid prescriptions for emergency and post-op patients should be limited to three days or less.
• Doctors and other medical professionals who do not comply with these new substance control rules and regulations are subject to reprimands, fines, and suspension of their medical license.

*Opioid drugs are those containing an opium or an opiate, including morphine and codeine. 

Addressing Patient Concern 

• We want to provide you with the best and safest care possible.
• We understand how difficult it is to deal with chronic pain, and we want to help you.
• It’s important that you come in and talk with our (doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, dentist, etc.) about the risks of using an opioid drug before we can call in or write a prescription.
• Our doctors are required to follow state laws before writing prescriptions for any medication that contains an opioid drug.
• Your pain can be managed in a lot of ways that do not involve the risk of addiction. Your doctor will be happy to talk with you and find a way to help you be more comfortable. May I make an appointment for you?