Gosnold CEO Ray Tamasi
BARNSTABLE – A member of Governor Charlie Baker’s landmark opioid working group and CEO of Gosnold on Cape Cod says the bill signed into effect Monday will help turn the table on the opioid epidemic.
The bill mandates initial pain killer prescriptions be capped at a 7-day supply, and Ray Tamasi says it’s an important concerted effort.
“Historically, some of these [measures] get bogged down by overregulation and technical issues, but the incentive this time is to find a way to overcome the barriers and make these things happen in real time day in and day out,” Tamasi said.
Tamasi was a member of the Governor’s state-wide focus group on combatting opioid addiction, which began early last year and convened in mid-June. The Gosnold CEO said he was impressed to see legislation passed so quickly after the working group made its recommendations.
The bill will also allow patients to fill only part of their painkiller prescriptions at a time, and mandates that overdose victims treated at emergency rooms receive a post-evaluation.
The legislation extends into schools as well, mandating that they verbally screen students for signs of drug abuse.
Tamasi called the bill a “continuing, sustained effort” from policy makers, healthcare leaders and treatment providers to continue to get a hold on the epidemic.
“We’re going to see this thing turn around, I’m confident about that,” Tamasi said.
The bill was unanimously approved by the Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday and officially signed by the Governor Tuesday.
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