To help address serious issues related to the misuse of prescription opioids, the California Medical Association’s Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) is offering mini-grants to organizations that wish to offer U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved opioid training for physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers. There are a few grants available, ranging between $1,400 and $3,300, based on the number of participants.

The opioid crisis continues and drug overdose deaths remain the leading cause of injury death in the United States – even more than car crashes. In one of many efforts to address this problem, the FDA launched a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for extended-release and long-acting opioid medications.

IMQ participates in REMS as part of the Collaborative on REMS Education (CO*RE), a multidisciplinary group working together to improve pain management and prevent adverse outcomes. CO*RE has designed a curriculum that satisfies the FDA requirements for REMS training. 

REMS materials for a two or three hour activity are available; training must be completed by December 2015. If necessary, IMQ can serve as a joint provider to offer continuing medical education credits and to help find qualified faculty. If your organization is interested in receiving a grant to conduct REMS training, please contact Eva Melendez at emelendez@imq.org.