Pew Calls for Regulatory Changes to Improve Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

The Pew Charitable Trusts sent comments on Feb. 10 to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in response to proposed regulations seeking to improve care at opioid treatment programs (OTPs), the only health care facilities able to offer all three forms of medication for opioid use disorder.

Pew’s comments focus on allowing OTPs to support medication-only approaches, designating jails and prisons as health care facilities that can dispense methadone, expanding telehealth flexibilities, and screening individuals beginning treatment at OTPs for imminent risk of harm to themselves and referring them to appropriate care, among other recommendations.