ARIZONA
MEDICAL BOARD
9545
East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona
85258
NOTICE OF AGENCY
SUBSTANTIVE POLICY STATEMENT #7
1. Title of the guidance document or subject
of the substantive policy statement and the
guidance document number or substantive policy
statement number by which the document or
policy statement is referenced:
Guidelines
for the Use of Controlled Substances for the
Treatment of Chronic Pain (SPS #7)
2.
Date of the application of the guidance documents
or the date the substantive policy statement
was issued and the effective date of the document
or policy statement if different from the
publication or issuance date:
Originally
published November 1997; revised May 1999;
revised June 2003.
3.
Summary of the contents of the guidance document
or the substantive policy statement:
The
Board recognizes that inappropriate prescribing
of controlled substances including the opioids
can lead to drug abuse and diversion. Inappropriate
prescribing also can lead to ineffective pain
management, unnecessary suffering of patients
and increased health care costs. The Board
recognizes that some physicians do not treat
pain properly due to lack of knowledge or
concern about pain. Fear of discipline by
the Board may also be an impediment to medically
appropriate prescribing for pain. This guideline
outlines the Board’s proactive approach
to improving appropriate prescribing for effective
pain management while preventing drug diversion
and abuse. Additionally, this guideline is
intended to encourage effective pain management
in Arizona and to help physicians reach a
level of comfort about appropriate prescribing
by clarifying the principles of professional
practice that are endorsed by the Board.
4.
A statement as to whether the guidance document
or substantive policy statement is a new document
or statement, or a revision:
Revision
5.
The name, address and telephone number of
the person to whom questions and comments
about the guidance document or substantive
policy statement may be directed:
Legislative
Liaison
Arizona Medical Board
9545 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
(480) 551-2700
6.
Information about where a person may obtain
a copy of the guidance document or the substantive
policy statement and the costs for obtaining
the document or policy statement:
Copies of all guidance documents and
substantive policy statements referenced are
available from the Arizona Medical Board through
its web site at www.azmdboard.org,
or by phoning, writing or visiting the Arizona
Medical Board at the address given above.
A nominal fee may be charged for photocopies.
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