Opioid Infographic Illustrates BWC’s Success, Pharmacy Leadership

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has created this infographic summarizing its work over the last six years to rein in excessive opioid prescriptions and the dangers they pose to injured workers, namely abuse, addiction and death.

The infographic summarizes the steps taken to reduce the number of injured workers dependent on opioids from 8,029 in 2011 to 4,101 in 2016, a near 50% drop.

According to the BWC, much of the success is credited to John Hanna, BWC pharmacy director. Per the BWC: “More than anyone, it is John who is responsible for the achievements highlighted in the infographic, as well as for other pharmacy program reforms we’ve implemented to protect injured workers. Along the way, with the backing of BWC leadership, he also built a pharmacy department that is a model in the work comp industry today.”

John retires at the end of this month.