In 2010, nearly 50 percent of dispensed controlled substances in Indiana were opioids, and that concerns state officials.

In response, the ISMA and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office have formed task forces to study the issue. Also, legislation has been introduced this year addressing the problem.

Additionally, two Indiana physicians are currently before the Medical Licensing Board (MLB) of Indiana for inappropriate prescribing of controlled substances.

Education is available
In December, the ISMA hosted a statewide live webcast that focused on best practices in opioid prescribing. The key speaker was leading expert Scott Fishman, M.D., author of “Responsible Opioid Prescribing™: A Clinician’s Guide.”

Now, the seminar is available to you online in three one-hour sessions and you can still earn continuing medical education credit.

“This should be a required course for all health care providers,” said Indianapolis urologist Teresa Beam, M.D., who attended the live webcast.

The sessions will help you:

• Assess patients for opioid prescription abuse
• Implement best practices for prescribing opioids in your practice
• Learn about the legal obligations and liabilities that come with prescribing opioids
• Use the Indiana Scheduled Prescription Electronic Collection & Tracking (INSPECT) program and understand its various features

To access the seminar, first register on the ISMA website. Your registration will then be processed and an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to access the webinar.

For questions, contact Erin Mays at the ISMA at emays@ismanet.org or call (800) 257-4762 or (317) 261-2060.