Guidelines for Prescribing Controlled Substances for Pain

The treatment of pain is hugely complex and requires careful consideration. The attached document represents a collaborative effort to address the prescribing and use of opioids in long-term use for chronic pain by California physicians and surgeons licensed by both the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

These guidelines were adopted by the Osteopathic Medical Board at their meeting on May 7, 2015. Thanks go to all Prescribing Task Force members for their many hours of research and participation.

Physicians are urged to review this document in detail.