House Resolution No. urges the Louisiana Department of Health to conduct a study aimed at increasing the availability of prescription nonopioid medications. This initiative comes in response to the significant pain management challenges faced by over fifty million Americans, many of whom rely solely on opioid medications. The resolution highlights the alarming statistics regarding opioid prescriptions in Louisiana, where the state ranks fifth in the nation for opioid prescriptions, and the devastating impact of opioid overdoses, which claimed nearly 2,500 lives in 2021, with a substantial portion attributed to opioids. The ongoing opioid crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the need for alternative pain management solutions.

The resolution outlines specific areas for the Louisiana Department of Health to explore, including the feasibility of using nonopioid medications for pain treatment, the reimbursement differences between opioid and nonopioid medications, the cost implications of opioid addiction treatment, and the overall effectiveness and availability of nonopioid pain medications. The Department is tasked with providing a written report to the House of Representatives by February 1, 2024, detailing their findings and recommendations. A copy of the resolution will also be sent to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure proper communication and follow-up on this important public health issue.