Australia’s CMO on why he wrote to 4800 GPs about their opioid prescribing

Professor Brendan Murphy
Professor Brendan Murphy.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy has published an open letter apologising for any anxiety and distress he caused with a letter he sent out to almost 5000 GPs a year ago informing them that they were among the top 20% of opioid prescribers.

The current trend of opioid use worldwide, including in Australia, poses a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of individuals.