The following statement is attributed to Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force:
“The American Medical Association strongly endorses the Surgeon General’s advisory on naloxone. The AMA Opioid Task Force has encouraged physicians to co-prescribe naloxone for all patients at risk of overdose. Surgeon General Adams, physicians, first responders, and public health advocates all recognize that naloxone is a literal lifesaver and a vital tool in our fight against the opioid epidemic. Patients, family members and friends should not hesitate to ask their physicians to prescribe naloxone so they can save their own or their loved one’s lives. Many states have made naloxone available without a prescription. All forms of naloxone should be readily available and covered by insurance plans with minimal or no cost-sharing. The AMA looks forward to working closely with the Surgeon General’s Office to help bring an end to the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths.”