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On-Demand Webinar Available on Pain Management and Opioid Prescribing for Older Adults

Champions for Health, the non-profit organization for the San Diego County Medical Society, has produced for physicians an on-demand webinar on pain managment and opioid prescribing for seniors. Learn appropriate techniques specifically for your older adult patients. For more information on this education activity and to access this helpful webinar please follow this link: https://championsforhealth.org/pain-management-and-opioid-prescribing-for-older-adults/

DEA Final Rule Rescheduling Hydrocodone Combination Products

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a final rule rescheduling hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) into Controlled Substance Schedule II, effective October 6, 2014. This AMA document provides detailed information, but, essentially, the final rule provides, in part, that prescriptions for HCPs that are issued before October 6, 2014, that have authorized refills may be dispensed in accordance with DEA rules for refilling, partial filling, transferring, and central filling Schedule III–V controlled substances until April 8, 2015.  However, it has come to AMA's attention that — due to state laws, insurance ...

Got Drugs?

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day — Saturday, April 26, 10:00am–2:00pm — aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Click below to access various PDF flyers for your office: All San Diego County Locations: English • Spanish • Tagalog Central San Diego County Locations Northern San Diego County Locations Eastern San Diego County Locations ...

CURES Sign-up Event at SDCMS on February 28

ALL PHYSICIANS — SDCMS MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS! Help Identify and Deter Drug Abuse and Diversion by Signing Up to Access CURES! On Friday, February 28, 2014, a representative from the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) will be at SDCMS’ offices from 9:00am to 5:00pm to sign up all physicians to gain access to the CURES system. Because the CURES representative will be here in person, you will NOT need to take the additional step of having your application notarized — a significant savings in time and money! RESERVE YOUR TIME ...

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Help Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse: Drop off Your Unused Prescription Drugs Saturday, October 26, 2013 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Click Here to Find the Collection Site Nearest You! Rx Abuse Hotline: (877) 662--6384 NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Download and Distribute These Flyers to Your Patients: Flyer in English — All San Diego County Locations Flyer in English — Central San Diego County Locations Flyer in English — Southern San Diego County Locations Flyer in English — Eastern San Diego County Locations Flyer ...

CMA Legislative Update as of September 6

By the California Medical Association (CMA) Scope Bills: SB 491 — Nurse Practitioners: CMA had a great victory with the desired outcome of having SB 491 held on suspense. Essentially, the bill failed in committee and is done for the year. Unlike the Senate, the Assembly Appropriations Committee estimated significant costs associated with SB 491. We expect that the author will re-introduce a scope bill next year. We are also being very vigilant about ensuring that there is no attempt to do a “gut and amend” at the end ...

CMA White Paper on Opioid Prescribing

The California Medical Association (CMA) has released a white paper titled "Opioid Analgesics in California: Relieving Pain, Preventing Misuse, Finding Balance," a report on the use of opioid medications. California, along with the nation, is faced with a serious healthcare dilemma about opioid use and abuse. The white paper discusses how to use opioid medications to relieve pain safely and effectively, while simultaneously reducing the risk of prescription medication misuse, addiction, and overdose. “Physician, patients, law enforcement, and the general public need accurate information about appropriate opioid use,” said Paul R. ...

Prescription Drug Abuse

An Interview With Thomas P. Lenox, Supervisory Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Administration By Roneet Lev, MD Dr. Lev, SDCMS-CMA member since 1996, is chair of the Prescription Drug Abuse Medical Task Force, current director of operations for the Scripps Mercy Hospital Emergency Department, current chair of the SDCMS Emergency Medicine Oversight Commission (EMOC), and past president of the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (CAL/ACEP). Part 1 of 2 — Be sure to read Part 2 of this interview in the May issue of San Diego Physician magazine. Dr. Lev: ...