A new software program called OpiSafe allows doctors to keep tabs on their patients
Painkillers can be lethal and use is high in the United States.
“It is estimated that 259 million prescriptions were dispensed in the U.S a year ago and that's enough for every American adult to have a bottle of prescription opioids,” said C.U. Professor of Pharmaceutical research, Robert Valuck.
About 40 people die every month in Colorado from opioid overdose.
Recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge doctors to prescribe opioids safely.
"It gets overwhelming for doctors, “said Valuck.
He co-founded OpiSafe.
“Doctors can clearly see what's going on one screen and don’t have to scroll through a bunch of stuff," said Valuck.
Patients provide daily updates through answering questions on the software's app.
The data collected from the app, along with patients’ lab reports and the pharmacies they often visit are put into the system.
It's a tool that helps prevent misuse from turning into an overdose, Valuck said,
