ER docs: Medical “paradigm shift” makes opioid use disorder meds more accessible, saves lives

Eliminating the X-waiver requirement represents a significant “paradigm shift,” said Dr. Jon Cole, an ER physician at Hennepin County Medical Center and medical director of the Minnesota Poison Control System: “Patients will have substantially greater access to treatment now, all over Minnesota, as long as their local physicians are willing to prescribe the medication.” Dr. Tim Kummer and Dr. Nick Simpson were also interviewed for this article.