Finding balance
ASH leaders recognize the longstanding, complex nature of the opioid epidemic and want to be a part of the conversation to ensure their patients’ needs and considerations are met in future legislation, Dr. Alvarnas noted.
Dr. Meier, who is vice chair for public policy at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, said the issue of balance is paramount when considering good policymaking.
“No policy at either extreme is the right policy,” Dr. Meier said. “Good policymaking, good public health interventions attempt to achieve some balance ... in preventing harm and maximizing appropriate treatment of vulnerable, seriously ill patients. And the policies we have now don’t achieve that.”
The “Statement on Opioid Use in Patients with Hematologic Diseases and Disorders” is available on the ASH website.
Dr. Alvarnas is chair of the society’s Committee on Practice. Dr. Meier and Dr. Osunkwo reported having no relevant financial disclosures.