All primary care doctors need a buprenorphine waiver. Here’s why.

Over 2 million Americans abuse or are dependent on prescription pain medications. These patients are in the office of every physician in the country, but only 3 percent of primary care providers offer them treatment.

Many patients are being given a sympathetic apology, a hotline to call, or a dead-end referral.  Some of them are being sent to methadone clinics, which are often impractical, already-full, or deeply stigmatized.  Others make their …

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