Opioid Treatment

State resources

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Department of Health developed and adopted guidelines for six medical specialties on the safe and effective use of opioids in the treatment of pain. These six specialties are emergency departments, chronic non-cancer pain, dentists, geriatric, obstetrics and gynecology, and pharmacists.

Pennsylvania's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PA PDMP) collects information on all filled prescriptions for controlled substances. This information helps health care providers safely prescribe controlled substances and helps patients get the treatment they need.

Pennsylvania physicians must take two hours of education in pain management, identification of addiction, or safe opioid prescribing in order to renew their medical license. Physicians seeking a Pennsylvania medical license for the first time need to take two hours of education in pain management or identification of addiction AND at least two hours of education in safe opioid prescribing.
Note: If you wish to submit verification for licensure purposes, the documentation/certificates you receive after completing this course should be submitted to your respective credentialing board.
PAMED has developed online CME to help physicians meet those requirements.

Centers of Excellence (COEs) help ensure that people with opioid-related substance use disorder (SUD) stay in treatment to receive follow-up care. A COE provides community support. The centers coordinate care for people with Medicaid. The treatment is team-based and “whole person” focused, with the explicit goal of integrating behavioral health and primary care. Locate a COE.

Prescription drug take-back boxes greatly reduce the amount of prescription drugs available for potential misuse and abuse. Locate a drop box.