Inappropriate and/or excessive prescribing of controlled substances, including opioid painkillers, has been a top regulatory priority for the Board for nearly 20 years. As patient deaths from opioid poisoning have continued to rise, the Board has intensified its efforts on multiple fronts: investigation/enforcement, policy development and education/outreach.
The Board recognizes that chronic pain is a legitimate medical issue and wants patients to receive safe and appropriate care. Encouraging appropriate prescribing is the Board’s primary objective with regard to opioids.
Find resources and information about the Board's programs to positively impact the opioid crisis below.
CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and related resources
- NCMB Policy on the use of opiates for the treatment of pain
- CDC opioid guidelines at-a-glance
- CDC opioids tapering guidance
- CDC non-opioid treatments
