Dr. Richard Popiel highlights Regence’s efforts to stem the opioid epidemic

As opioid deaths continue to rise in our communities, Regence health plans are focused on helping stem the epidemic.

Dr. Richard Popiel, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Regence health plans, recently published an article outlining the many ways Regence is doing its part. Those multifaceted efforts include:

• Cutting the number of opioid prescriptions by 22 percent, toward a goal of 25 percent by 2020.
• Supporting safe disposal of unused or expired medications as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Takeback Day.
• Sponsoring drug disposal kiosks in Walgreens stores.

Regence policies aim to decrease opioid misuse while ensuring access for people who need opioids to manage pain. Read more about our efforts in the Portland Business Journal.