The misuse of extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioids is a major public health problem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the following:

• In 2011, almost 17,000 Americans died of drug overdose involving opioid analgesics.
• 1 in 20 high school seniors reports abusing OxyContin.

The FDA approved a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for ER/LA opioid medications on July 9, 2012. The CO*RE/ASAM ER/LA Opioid REMS: Achieving Safe Use While Improving Patient Care course was developed by nationally renowned experts from Collaborative for REMS Education (CO*RE) and incorporates all six units defined by the FDA blueprint for REMS education. ASAM also provides a unit addressing ER/LA opioids and addiction.In response to the growing problem of the abuse, misuse and diversion of (ER/LA) Opioid drugs, the FDA approved a REMS for ER/LA opioid medications on July 9, 2012. The ER/LA Opioid REMS: Achieving Safe Use While Improving Patient Care course was developed by nationally renowned experts from CO*RE (Collaborative for REMS Education) and incorporates all six units defined by the FDA blueprint for REMS education. 

The ER/LA Opioid REMS Course online has been approved for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Presented September 2014 by two distinguished faculty members, the course features all the FDA blueprint approved content developed by CO*RE, and an additional 30-minute session developed by ASAM entitled, "Is My Patient Opioid Addicted?" This online offering is available free of charge.

Who Should Attend

The intended audience is all prescribers of ER/LA Opioids which includes: pain specialists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, dentists, addiction medicine physicians, psychiatrists and other physicians and clinicians. 

RPC Commercial Support Disclosure Statement

This educational activity is supported by an independent educational grant from the ER/LA Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies. Please see this link for a listing of the member companies. This activity is intended to be fully compliant with the ER/LA Opioid Analgesic REMS education requirements issued by the US Food & Drug Administration.

Course Outline

• Assessing Patients for Treatment with ER/LA Opioid Analgesic Therapy
• Initiating Therapy, Modifying Dosing, and Discontinuing Use of ER/LA Opioid Analgesics
• Managing Therapy with ER/LA Opioid Analgesics
• Counseling Patients & Caregivers about Safe Use of ER/LA Opioid Analgesics
• General Drug Information for ER/LA Opioid Analgesics
• Specific Drug Information for ER/LA Opioid Analgesic Products
• Is My Patient Opioid Addicted? – Diagnosis and Management
• Opioid Jeopardy – an Audience Interactive Learning Session

*This course is not intended to advocate for the use of ER/LA Opioids, but to ensure proper education about safe prescribing practices should a medical provider determine that ER/LA Opioids are the best course of treatment. 

Goals and Objectives

1. Describe appropriate patient assessment for treatment with ER/LA opioid analgesics, evaluating risks and potential benefits of ER/LA therapy, as well as possible misuse.
2. Apply proper methods to initiate therapy, modify dose, and discontinue use of ER/LA opioid analgesics, applying best practices including accurate dosing and conversion techniques, as well as appropriate discontinuation strategies.
3. Demonstrate accurate knowledge about how to manage ongoing therapy with ER/LA opioid analgesics and properly use evidence-based tools while assessing for adverse effects.
4. Employ methods to counsel patients and caregivers about the safe use of ER/LA opioid analgesics, including proper storage and disposal.
5. Review/assess general and product-specific drug information concerning ER/LA opioid analgesics and identifying potential adverse effects of ER/LA opioids.

Acknowledgement

Presented by ASAM, a member of the Collaborative on REMS Education (CO*RE), 10 interdisciplinary organizations working together to improve pain management and prevent adverse outcomes.

RPC Commercial Support Disclosure Statement

This educational activity is supported by an independent educational grant from the ER/LA Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies. Please see this link for a listing of the member companies. This activity is intended to be fully compliant with the ER/LA Opioid Analgesic REMS education requirements issued by the US Food & Drug Administration.