OHSAM Weighs-In on Proposed Changes to Physician Rules Relating to Buprenorphine Treatment

On October 5th, the Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine (OHSAM) submitted comments in response to the Ohio Medical Board's proposed Physician Rules Relating to Buprenorphine Treatment. Specifically, OHSAM sought revisions to areas such as the numerically defined frequency of urine drug screenings and continued limitations around prescribing higher dose buprenorphine in the era of high potency synthetic opioids (HPSO’s). 

In the letter, OHSAM praised the board for improving upon previous iterations of the rules. Specifically, OHSAM noted that the proposal loosened restrictions on prescribing higher dose buprenorphine (> 16 mg per day). However, OHSAM urged further loosening restrictions on buprenorphine dosing, citing the prevalence of HPSO’s and research supporting the effectiveness of higher dose buprenorphine treatment. Further, OHSAM sought changes to rules requiring a numerical amount of drug tests per quarter. While OHSAM affirmed the utility of urine drug screens, numerically defining a specific number of tests per quarter is counter to medical best practice.

Read the letter here.