Inappropriate and/or excessive prescribing of controlled substances, including opioid painkillers, has been a top regulatory priority for NCMB for more than a decade. In recent 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.
NCMB 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 NCMB programs to positively impact the opioid crisis below.
From a past Board President
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
Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (opioid investigative program)
- Summary results of NCMB's Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (Revised July 2018)
- NEW! Revised selection criteria for investigation (eff. July 1, 2017)
- Clarifying some points about NCMB's Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative
- Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative (SOPI) FAQs