Misinterpretation of the “Overdose Crisis” Continues to Fuel Misunderstanding of the Role of Prescription Opioids

Jeffrey J Bettinger,1 William Amarquaye,2 Jeffrey Fudin,3– 6 Michael E Schatman7– 9 1Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA; 2HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, Brandon, FL, USA; 3President, Remitigate Therapeutics, Delmar, NY, USA; 4Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Albany, NY, USA; 5Department of Pharmacy Practice, Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, MA, USA; 6Department of Pharmacy and Pain Management, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA; 7Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; 8Department of Population Health – Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; 9School of Social Work, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USACorrespondence: Michael E Schatman, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave., New York, NY, 10016, USA, Tel +425-647-4880, Email Michael.Schatman@NYULangone.org