Patient abandonment in the name of opioid safety.

In the political arena, when two branches of government are headed in one direction, the other branch is often dragged along in the process. This also appears to be the case with prescription opioid policy, but instead of political branches, well-meaning researchers and politicians are dragging prescribers in a direction that could result in patient abandonment. While the pendulum is clearly swinging away from opioids and has left some patients behind, at least two things could help reduce the resulting harm: balanced policies and a good dose of humility among all concerned.