PhRMA to Support Limiting Acute Pain Opioid Prescriptions to Seven-Day Supplies

PhRMA now supports limiting opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a seven-day supply — down from the traditional 30 — saying excess pills can end up falling into the wrong hands.

In addition, the industry trade group would support regulatory initiatives such as mandatory annual prescriber training and strengthening prescription drug monitoring programs at state and federal levels, according to PhRMA President CEO Stephen Ubl, speaking at a meeting of the president’s opioid commission Wednesday.

Several members of the commission called on industry to accelerate the development of non-opioid alternatives — of which the industry has more than 40 in the pipeline, according to Ubl.