PORTLAND, Ore. – Una iniciativa del Congreso que se presenta en comité este miércoles, busca autorizar a los farmacéuticos para recetar un antídoto salvavidas para personas con sobredosis de opioides. Conforme va empeorando esta adicción, los prestadores de atención médica de Oregon buscan alternativas.

Los datos de la “Oregon Health Authority” (Autoridad de la Salud de Oregon) indican que cada semana mueren en el estado tres personas por sobredosis de opioides recetados, dato que está siendo considerado por los legisladores de Salem.

Se espera que el Comité sobre Atención a la Salud trabaje durante la sesión del Congreso de hoy (miércoles) para afinar los detalles de la iniciativa que permita a los farmacéuticos surtir un antídoto contra la sobredosis de opioides, sin necesidad de receta.

En los casos en que la vida está en peligro por sobredosis de opioides, se administra la droga llamada “Naloxone” por inyección o por atomizador nasal, para contrarrestar los efectos de los opiáceos. La Directora Médica del Columbia Pacific CCO, Doctora Safina Koreishi, apoya la distribución de este producto sin prescripción médica.

“El Naloxone ha sido de gran beneficio en este asunto, y creo que tiene un enorme potencial para quienes tienen altas dosis de opioides o quienes corren un alto riesgo por sobredosis de opioides.”

Walgreens anunció el martes que pondrá el Naloxone a la venta sin receta en 35 estados este año, incluyendo Oregon, en cuanto lo permitan las normas de esos estados.

Algunos proveedores de Oregon buscan la manera de intervenir antes de que sea necesario el Naloxone. Muchos opioides son recetados primero por los médicos para aliviar el dolor crónico de una variedad de padecimientos.

La Dra. Anne Alftine, Directora de Atención Clínica en Jackson Care Connect, en el sur de Oregon, afirma que el alto riesgo de que se caiga en una adicción o una sobredosis, así como las recientes investigaciones médicas, están abriendo la puerta a muchas alternativas más seguras para manejar el dolor.

“Practicar la meditación y yoga son dos de las cosas que más pueden ayudar a la gente que tiene dolor crónico.”

Alftine dice que la terapia física y los grupos de apoyo de semejantes también pueden ser opciones efectivas.

El abuso de opiáceos en la costa norte de Oregon ha ido subiendo más rápido que en otras partes del estado.

Para combatir el aumento de la adicción ahí, Koreishi ayudó a establecer tres espacios como la Clínica del Dolor de la Costa Norte (North Coast Pain Clinic), especializada en el tratamiento basado en la conducta.

Pero Koreishi afirma que la atención alternativa es sólo una parte de la ecuación para resolver la adicción a los opioides.

“No nos moveremos en este problema a menos que podamos acoplar a quienes recetan y a los proveedores para hacer este cambio.”


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.