Massachusetts opioid law serves as 'blueprint' for other states, says governor

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation to fight the opioid epidemic into law Aug. 9, according to Mass Live

The law expands patient access to the overdose reversal drug Narcan, requires all prescribers in the state to convert to secure electronic prescriptions for addictive medications by 2020 and creates a credentialing process for substance abuse recovery coaches, among other initiatives.

This is the second major opioid-related bill Mr. Baker signed since 2015. In 2017, about 2,016 people died from opioid-related overdoses.

"This legislation has been used as a blueprint for fighting the epidemic in states," Mr. Baker said during a signing ceremony Aug. 14, according to The Herald News. "It's truly a team effort, and there's a lot more to be done."

More articles on opioids: 

Oregon Medicaid proposal would cut all opioids for chronic pain patients
Johns Hopkins creates opioid guidelines for 20 common surgeries
Dr. Toby Cosgrove: Opioid epidemic has 'peaked'

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