By Angelina Caruso

Since President Trump declared opioid abuse a national threat on Aug. 10, there has been a heightened public awareness surrounding the issue. Just this week, CVS officially put forth new opioid prescription changes that will begin on Feb. 1, 2018. According to their website, “This program will include limiting to seven days the supply of opioids…” It will also limit the daily dosages and strengths of prescriptions.

Opioid abuse has rarely made headlines in recent news; barely being acknowledged in comparison to other leading issues. However, based on the numbers, it deserves more attention. CNN reported that in 2015 alone, there were more than 900,000 overdoses. A report by the Commission of Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis cites an overdose rate of 142 per day. Obviously, something needs to be done, and that something needs to be on a large scale. CVS is using its massive platform to propel the nation into potentially a “War on Drugs” part two. The corporation includes 9,600 pharmacy stores and over 1,100 walk in clinics across the country. Their reach is ideal for spreading important messages.

The company’s CEO and President, Larry J. Merlo, speaking on the changes argued, “…our nation’s opioid crisis is a multi-pronged effort…” He isn’t wrong. Pharmacists are not the only players in the drug prescription game. Merlo is referring to doctors who are behind the prescription pad. The two realms of medicine will work together in battling the crisis. For example, if a pharmacist feels a prescription is too high or strong, they will contact the doctor to lower the dosage. CVS has also assured the public that its pharmacists will take on a doctor-like role as well, “counseling patients with opioid prescriptions” in efforts to reduce addiction and dependence. This is all good news, but is it enough?

Any political issue presents two sides, and the current opioid crisis is no exception. There will never be a complete consensus on how to resolve any issue at a national level, including the opioid crisis. Most coverage of the CVS initiative is positive, but there has been backlash as well. Those in opposition to the changes worry that if patients are denied the treatment they need, they will resort to worse options in order to cope.

In a recent interview, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy argued that as a nation we cannot, “…deny people who need opioid medications those actual medications…We are trying to find an appropriate middle ground…’” With such a dangerous issue, with the lives of thousands of people in question, a middle ground is wishful thinking. The less extreme our actions are, the longer the crisis remains in full swing. The CVS changes are not only altering the prescriptions, but also bringing an awareness to the psychological needs of the patients. By making these changes, CVS is drawing attention to the reality of opioid addiction and making a point to aid those impacted by the changes. The patients are not losing complete access to their usual prescriptions; they are not being left to their own devices with no guidance. The guidelines are subtle enough that there is room for special cases. Doctors can appeal for duration and strength changes in their prescribing based on careful judgement of the patient’s situation.

Along with the new changes, CVS also plans on expanding its Pharmacists Tech program, which places pharmacists in school settings to educate students on prescription drug dangers. As of this year, the program has reached over 295,000 students nationwide. Bringing about changes in prescription policy creates conversation throughout the nation. An issue that is arguably a lesser priority among media outlets, the current opioid crisis needs addressing. The first way to do this is to raise awareness about the issue so that the public is educated about it. By implementing a series of policy changes and expanding multiple programs, CVS is highlighting the importance of this issue while simultaneously working toward weakening its strength.

No one solution will “solve” the entire crisis, but efforts such as these set the foundation for the next steps. It’s up to the rest of the nation to follow.

Angelina Caruso, FCRH ’20, is a communications major from Bridgewater, New Jersey.