Dozens speak out on pain-pill rules

Dozens of Utahns have commented on guidelines proposed by the Utah Department of Health aimed at helping doctors know when to prescribe pills for chronic pain.

The guidelines were written to reduce the over-prescribing of pain pills. Since 1999 Utah has seen a 200 percent increase in the number of overdose deaths.

The proposed guidelines include random drug tests and recommending that doctors consult pain specialists about patients that need high doses of opioids.

Some with chronic pain commented that pain pills are the only thing that lets them function.

"The proposed guidelines will make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to obtain these medications when we clearly benefit from their use," wrote Lee Stokes, who said he has a nerve disorder. "Were it not for hydrocodone, I would have a very difficult time holding down a job — my feet are too painful to stand or walk on otherwise. And, at age 53, I'm far too young to consider retirement or disability."

Others said more restrictions are needed.

"This needs strong language stating that such prescribing hasn't been shown to be effective, kills and disable(s) people and ruins families, lives and communities," wrote a nurse practitioner anonymously.

Robert Rolfs, the state epidemiologist, plans to tweak the guidelines in the next several days based on the public's comments.

Rolfs said he is bothered by the recommendation that patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain have random drug tests to ensure they are taking their prescription correctly.

Some who commented called the proposal an invasion of privacy and said it would lead them to seek drug dealers.

Rolfs, who contends the drug tests would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, wants to find a way to make the tests a "positive" tool.

"We're trying to be a little more restrictive than things have been in the past," he said. "That perhaps is going to make it somewhat difficult for some people to get treated. I want to minimize that."