What’s a Doctor to Do:
Alternatives to Opioids in the Management of Pain


The opioid epidemic has dominated the medical landscape for the past decade, and although far from over, signs are finally indicating that opioid prescribing is declining. So what’s next? If the medical community solves the opioid crisis, are there other dangerous drugs on the horizon? In this session, a clinical pharmacist will introduce the audience to a strategy known as pharmacovigilance that uses pharmaceutical data to minimize risk from drug therapy. The concept of risk versus benefit will be applied to prescribing decisions to allow prescribers to make better informed decisions. Then he or she will examine the costs associated with certain types of drug therapy and the associated risks. Lastly, potential risks associated with drug therapy that is replacing opioids — such as NSAIDs, medical marijuana, benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids — will be reviewed.

Adam L. Seidner, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer, The Hartford
Dr. Seidner is responsible for leading The Hartford’s medical strategy and policy across all lines of business with a particular focus on workers’ compensation and disability management. He heads the company’s efforts in medical innovation, training and programs. This includes The Hartford’s opioid management strategy.
Phil Walls
Chief Clinical Officer, myMatrixx, an Express Scripts Company
Phil Walls oversees all aspects of myMatrixx’s clinical program, including drug utilization review, formulary management, drug regimen reviews and targeted intervention with prescribing physicians. Phil is a clinical pharmacist with over 40 years of experience in pharmacy, healthcare informatics and workers’ compensation.
SESSION SLIDE DECK