Governor Bill Walker has declared a public health crisis for the State of Alaska to combat what has been deemed an opioid epidemic. The disaster declaration establishes a statewide Overdose Response Program under Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and also began a movement to “Turn the Tide”, the Surgeon General’s call to end the opioid crisis.

Here is a link to the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services for more information. http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Director/Pages/heroin-opioids/default.aspx

As part of the movement to address the opioid misuse epidemic in Alaska there have been multiple requirements implemented by legislation for Prescribers and Pharmacists when it comes to writing and filling all controlled substances.

In an effort to do our part and also to meet the requirements that we are held to Hillside Family Medicine (HFM) has decided to create a controlled medication policy. This policy will be effective January 1, 2018 and will be enforced.

• HFM will not prescribe chronic pain medications.
• HFM will not refill any narcotic prescriptions requests without an Office Visit.
• HFM requires that all benzodiazepine class medication requests are to be processed by the patient’s main provider.
• HFM providers will clearly document the reason, plan and expectations of the patient when prescribing any refillable controlled prescriptions.

Please be aware of this new policy and have patience as we are all adapting to the changes.