To the editor:
I'd like to compliment you on the AAFP News Now article, "Buprenorphine Mentoring Program Debuts Nationwide." As a family physician now one and one-half years into my medical practice treating patients with addictions and chronic pain, I truly believe buprenorphine is an underutilized resource that many FPs can and should be prescribing.
Furthermore, I think this drug will ultimately become the treatment of choice for chronic pain in individuals with an addiction history. The trick is that the drug requires some monitoring and skill from the prescribing physician.
Treating drug addiction with buprenorphine is really no different than treating any other chronic disease, but too often physicians don't view it that way.
I encourage you to continue covering this issue.
John Patz, D.O.
Seattle
