SAMHSA issues revised federal guidelines for opioid treatment programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration last week issued revised federal guidelines for opioid treatment programs. According to the agency, the guidelines contain updated information on ways to assess and counsel patients; treatment of pregnant patients; patient withdrawal from medication-assisted treatment; and management of patients with multiple problems, including chronic pain. They also include new information on topics such as telemedicine; electronic health records; prescription drug monitoring programs; recovery; the role of physicians, nurses and other program staff; and the full range of FDA-approved medications, including methadone, buprenorphine and injectable naltrexone. In related news, the Food and Drug Administration today issued final guidance for drug makers who wish to develop opioid products with potentially abuse-deterrent properties.