CDC clarifies opioid prescribing guideline, says doctors should use their 'clinical judgment'

Under pressure from healthcare experts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clarified the controversial federal guideline for prescribing opioids, which it issued three years ago in the face of the opioid epidemic sweeping the country. In a letter (PDF) released publicly Tuesday, the CDC said the guidelines were not intended to deny chronic pain patients relief from opioids and encouraged physicians to use their “clinical judgment” in prescribing the medications, which can be addictive. The letter also spoke specifically to the use of opioids in the treatment of cancer and sickle cell patients, making it clear the guideline was not meant to limit access to pain management for patients with these conditions. The Feb. 28 letter was written by Deborah Dowell, M.D., chief medical officer at the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Addressed to leaders at three medical organizations, the letter was embargoed for release until Tuesday morning.