Leaders from several different health industry sectors have scheduled a meeting to discuss novel approaches to prevent the abuse of opioids, which are used to relieve pain.
The leaders are from organizations and companies that range from technology to insurance to pharmacy sectors. Representatives from federal agencies plan to attend, as well.
The congressional staff briefing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, inside the Rayburn House Office Building (Room B339). The goal is to develop health solutions for the growing public health threat of abusing opioids.
Countless people have used opioids to find relief from the pain caused by their health concerns. Instead of resolving their health worries, many of these patients have developed addictions to the opioids.
The leaders will share and exchange their separate insights about the variety of methods they are using to prevent opioid abuse. These include data, partnerships, disposal assistance and similar tools.
Reps. Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Frank Guinta (R-NH), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, will attend the briefing to present opening remarks.
After the opening remarks, experts from Surescripts, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and Walgreens will discuss their solutions for the problem of opioid abuse.
