Opioid deprescribing: rethinking policies to facilitate better patient outcomes

Deprescribing, the patient-centered process of reducing or stopping a medication when the potential harms outweigh the likely benefits, has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate opioid-related harm. Typically, opioid deprescribing occurs at the individual level, however, adopting a policy-driven approach could expand its reach and impact. To date, prescription opioid control policies that have been implemented with the intention of reducing opioid use and harm have often resulted in unintended consequences. In this article we discuss whether and how the concept of opioid deprescribing can be operationalized at a policy level. We review the goals, challenges and consequences of opioid control policies, explore how they intersect with system-level factors, and propose pathways for developing and implementing future opioid deprescribing policies. We argue that the development and implementation of patient-centered opioid deprescribing policies are both essential and feasible, if key challenges such as structural stigma and the complex interplay between pain and opioid use disorder are recognized and addressed. Robust evaluation frameworks will also be critical for monitoring outcomes and refining interventions. By prioritizing patient and provider needs, and carefully considering pertinent system-level factors, policymakers may be able to foster more effective and compassionate opioid management and reduce opioid-related harm.