Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law alumna Suzanne Fidler (’05) published “The Opioid Epidemic” in the January edition of Riverside Lawyer Magazine.  The article details the risk of patient misuse of opioid pain medication and the guidelines, regulation, and education resources available to medical professionals designed to reduce patient overdose and addiction.

From the article:

“Tragic and untimely deaths from prescription drug overdoses, particularly opioids, have brought attention to what some have called an ‘opioid epidemic.’ Opioids are pain medications such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine (Kadian, Avinza), and codeine. Not only have high-profile stars who have died from overdoses demonstrated the dangerous risks of these prescriptions, but lawsuits against prescribers and publicity about family members and friends who have been affected have contributed to recent guidelines and legislation for containing this apparent epidemic.”

Fidler is a physician attorney with expertise in health care law, including provider disputes, appeals, and physician-hospital practice. A board certified internist, she regularly partners with attorneys to provide medical and health law knowledge in their cases, offering assistance with medical records review, legal research, discovery, and litigation.