The American Medical Association (AMA) reported a slight decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, despite a historic high. Opioid prescriptions have decreased by 51.7% since 2012, but challenges remain in accessing medications for opioid use disorder. The AMA emphasizes the need to remove barriers to medication and enforce parity laws. Recommendations for policymakers include increasing access to naloxone, eliminating punitive policies, and increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder. AMA President-Elect Bobby Mukkamala urges for unwavering commitment to expand access to lifesaving medications and address gaps in harm reduction. More work is needed to end the opioid epidemic.
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Despite progress fighting the overdose epidemic, outdated policies are ‘costing lives’
