There is a national public health crisis concerning the misuse and overuse of opioid medications, and despite multiple large scale efforts to stem the tide, negative trends persist. In order to address risk and safety concerns, reduce serious adverse outcomes, and simultaneously ensure that pain patients maintain necessary access to opioids, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) that applies to all long-acting and extended-release opioid medications. Joining Alicia Sutton to discuss how REMS programs are being used to help inform and educate the medical community are Cynthia Kear and Tom McKeithen. Ms. Kear is Senior Vice President of the California Academy of Family Physicians, while Mr. McKeithen is Senior Consultant at Healthcare Performance Consulting
