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Camacho X, Schaffer AL, Brett J, Pratt N, Buckley NA, Henry D, Pearson SA. Quality use of publicly subsidised tapentadol in Australia: a population-based analysis. Intern Med J 2024; 54:941-950. [PMID: 38299430 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sustained-release (SR) tapentadol was listed on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2014 for chronic severe pain requiring long-term opioid treatment. Dispensings have increased since listing despite declining trends in other PBS-listed opioids. Preferential prescribing of SR opioids may increase the risk of dependence and accidental overdose, particularly when used to treat acute pain. AIMS To explore the quality use of publicly subsidised tapentadol in Australia. METHODS We examined annual initiation rates and patterns of use of tapentadol (SR) in the dispensing records of a 10% random sample of PBS-eligible Australians (2014-2021). We used national tapentadol sales data to assess the proportion of sales attributable to the PBS. RESULTS Tapentadol initiation increased from 2014, peaking at 7.5/1000 adult population in 2019 before declining to 5.3/1000 in 2021. We identified 63 766 new users between 2014 and 2020, of whom 92.8% discontinued in the first year following initiation, 58.0% had only a single dispensing and 34.3% had no other opioids dispensed in the 3 months before or after initiation. 27.8% of new users were dispensed tapentadol on the same day as potentially interacting medicines. There was a sustained drop in the proportion of sales attributable to the PBS from June 2020 onwards, from an average of 69.1%, to 63.9% of pack sales. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of use suggest tapentadol (SR) is generally used for short duration. Although most tapentadol sold in Australia is subsidised, there is evidence of a shift towards private sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Camacho
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrea L Schaffer
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan Brett
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Pratt
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Henry
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Burton J, Chua C, Popovic G, Baitch L. Predictors of opioid use for rib fractures in a regional Australian hospital. Injury 2024:111586. [PMID: 38677891 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rib fractures (RFs) are the leading type of single serious injury in New South Wales trauma patients. Uncontrolled pain drives the sequelae of atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death in severe cases. Opioids are the mainstay of management; however, they carry numerous adverse effects. Understanding patient or injury factors which predict opioid requirement is important to tailor management. Existing evidence is limited to metropolitan trauma centres (MTCs). METHODS We conducted an observational, retrospective, single-centre cohort study of all admissions to Albury Wodonga Health diagnosed with one or more RFs and discharged between January 1st, 2017, and December 31st, 2022, inclusive. Data collected included demographics, injury characteristics, and management, including analgesia. LASSO regression was performed to determine predictors of average daily opioid use for the first five days of admission in oral morphine equivalents (mg). R2 and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated to assess model performance. RESULTS We included 624 patients. LASSO selected number of RFs, fracture displacement score, pulmonary contusion, new injury severity score, age, chest tube use, chronic pain history, opioid history and upper or middle lateral RF location categories as predictors. Sex, middle anterior, middle posterior, and lower RF location categories were excluded by LASSO. The out of sample R2 was 28.6 %. On the scale of log OME, the RMSE was 1.08. CONCLUSION The model is effective at identifying predictors of opioid use in this regional centre, which are similar to those described in evidence from MTCs. However, the low R2 with wide prediction intervals limits its utility on an individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Burton
- Albury-Wodonga Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, 559 East Street, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia
| | | | - Gordana Popovic
- UNSW StatsCentral, UNSW Sydney, High Street, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Luke Baitch
- Albury-Wodonga Rural Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, 559 East Street, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia; Department of Anaesthesia, Albury Wodonga Health, PO Box 326, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia.
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Gillies MB, Camacho X, Bharat C, Buizen L, Blyth F, Currow D, Wilson A, Degenhardt L, Gisev N, Pearson SA. Oxycodone initiation in Australia (2014-2018): Sociodemographic factors and preceding health service use. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38571341 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Oxycodone is the most commonly prescribed strong opioid in Australia. This study describes health service antecedents and sociodemographic factors associated with oxycodone initiation. METHODS Population-based new user cohort study linking medicine dispensings, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, medical services and cancer notifications from New South Wales (NSW) for 2014-2018. New users had no dispensings of any opioid in the preceding year. We analysed health service use in the 5 days preceding initiation and proportion of people on treatment over 1 year and fitted an area-based, multivariable initiation model with sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS Oxycodone accounted for 30% of opioid initiations. Annually, 3% of the NSW population initiated oxycodone, and 5-6% were prevalent users; the new user cohort comprised 830 963 people. Discharge from hospital (39.3%), therapeutic procedures (21.4%) and emergency department visits (19.7%) were common; a hospital admission for injury (6.0%) or a past-year history of cancer (7.2%) were less common. At 1 year after initiation, 4.6% of people were using oxycodone. In the multivariable model, new use of oxycodone increased with age and was higher for people outside major cities, for example, an incidence rate ratio of 1.43 (95% confidence interval 1.36-1.51) for inner regional areas relative to major cities; there was no evidence of variation in rates of new use by social disadvantage. CONCLUSION About half of new oxycodone use in NSW was preceded by a recent episode of hospital care or a therapeutic procedure. Higher rates of oxycodone initiation in rural and regional areas were not explained by sociodemographic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm B Gillies
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ximena Camacho
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chrianna Bharat
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Luke Buizen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Blyth
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Schaffer AL, Gisev N, Blyth FM, Buckley NA, Currow D, Dobbins TA, Wilson A, Degenhardt L, Pearson S. Opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners in New South Wales, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:1472-1481. [PMID: 37159416 PMCID: PMC10946566 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prescriber behaviour is important for understanding opioid use patterns. We described variations in practitioner-level opioid prescribing in New South Wales, Australia (2013-2018). METHODS We quantified opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners using population-level dispensing claims data, and used partitioning around medoids to identify clusters of practitioners who prescribe opioids based on prescribing patterns and patient characteristics identified from linked dispensing claims, hospitalisations and mortality data. RESULTS The number of opioid prescribers ranged from 20,179 in 2013 to 23,408 in 2018. The top 1% of practitioners prescribed 15% of all oral morphine equivalent (OME) milligrams dispensed annually, with a median of 1382 OME grams (interquartile range [IQR], 1234-1654) per practitioner; the bottom 50% prescribed 1% of OMEs dispensed, with a median of 0.9 OME grams (IQR 0.2-2.6). Based on 63.6% of practitioners with ≥10 patients filling opioid prescriptions in 2018, we identified four distinct practitioner clusters. The largest cluster prescribed multiple analgesic medicines for older patients (23.7% of practitioners) accounted for 76.7% of all OMEs dispensed and comprised 93.0% of the top 1% of practitioners by opioid volume dispensed. The cluster prescribing analgesics for younger patients with high rates of surgery (18.7% of practitioners) prescribed only 1.6% of OMEs. The remaining two clusters comprised 21.2% of prescribers and 20.9% of OMEs dispensed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We observed substantial variation in opioid prescribing among practitioners, clustered around four general patterns. We did not assess appropriateness but some prescribing patterns are concerning. Our findings provide insights for targeted interventions to curb potentially harmful practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Schaffer
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Fiona M. Blyth
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Nicholas A. Buckley
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and HealthUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Timothy A. Dobbins
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Sallie‐Anne Pearson
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
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Gisev N, Pearson SA, Dobbins T, Buizen L, Murphy T, Wilson A, Blyth F, Dunlop A, Larney S, Currow DC, Mattick RP, Degenhardt L. Cohort profile: POPPY II - a population-based cohort examining the patterns and outcomes of prescription opioid use in New South Wales, Australia. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068310. [PMID: 37197812 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The POPPY II cohort is an Australian state-based cohort linking data for a population of individuals prescribed opioid medicines, constructed to allow a robust examination of the long-term patterns and outcomes of prescription opioid use. PARTICIPANTS The cohort includes 3 569 433 adult New South Wales residents who initiated a subsidised prescription opioid medicine between 2003 and 2018, identified through pharmacy dispensing data (Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) and linked to 10 national and state datasets and registries including rich sociodemographic and medical services data. FINDINGS TO DATE Of the 3.57 million individuals included in the cohort, 52.7% were female and 1 in 4 people were aged ≥65 years at the time of cohort entry. Approximately 6% had evidence of cancer in the year prior to cohort entry. In the 3 months prior to cohort entry, 26.9% used a non-opioid analgesic and 20.5% used a psychotropic medicine. Overall, 1 in 5 individuals were initiated on a strong opioid (20.9%). The most commonly initiated opioid was paracetamol/codeine (61.3%), followed by oxycodone (16.3%). FUTURE PLANS The POPPY II cohort will be updated periodically, both extending the follow-up duration of the existing cohort, and including new individuals initiating opioids. The POPPY II cohort will allow a range of aspects of opioid utilisation to be studied, including long-term trajectories of opioid use, development of a data-informed method to assess time-varying opioid exposure, and a range of outcomes including mortality, transition to opioid dependence, suicide and falls. The duration of the study period will allow examination of population-level impacts of changes to opioid monitoring and access, while the size of the cohort will also allow examination of important subpopulations such as people with cancer, musculoskeletal conditions or opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Timothy Dobbins
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luke Buizen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Murphy
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona Blyth
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David C Currow
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, The University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard P Mattick
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Walsh K, Gezer N, Gaborit L, Zhou W, Banerjee A. Bones, groans and sending patients home: Perioperative opioid-related harm reduction strategy utilisation in a regional New South Wales (NSW) hospital. Aust J Rural Health 2023. [PMID: 36745537 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Perioperative initiation of opioids continues to be a major contributor to chronic use, misuse and diversion in regional areas. There is considerable effort to mitigate harm through avoiding excessive prescribing and reducing the risk of persistent postoperative opioid use. Improving perioperative documentation practices has been reported to ensure appropriate opioid initiation and de-escalation. It has not been established whether these strategies are utilised in regional hospitals. METHODS A retrospective observational study of perioperative opioid prescribing and documentation practices in Goulburn Base Hospital, a regional centre in the Southern New South Wales (NSW) Local Health District. Data were collected from 110 records and validated for adult patients undergoing elective total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR) from 12 January 2020 to 13 January 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES To observe perioperative opioid prescribing and utilisation of harm reduction strategies in a regional hospital. RESULTS 65% of patients were opioid naïve (ON). Preoperative pain assessments and patient education were completed in 23% and 15% of records, respectively. Postoperative opioids were prescribed for 99% of patients, with 74% prescribed a slow-release (SR) formulation. 50% of patients were discharged with an SR prescription. Inadequate postoperative pain control was reported in 21% of patients. Of the 103 patients prescribed opioids on discharge, only 20% included a de-escalation plan and only 35% of discharge summaries included dose and quantity of opioids supplies. CONCLUSIONS This study has identified underutilisation of perioperative harm reduction strategies despite the potential to improve appropriate initiation and de-escalation of opioids. These findings highlight opportunities for improvement in regional hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Walsh
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nesha Gezer
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Lorane Gaborit
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - William Zhou
- ANU Medical School, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Goulburn Base Hospital, ANU Medical School, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
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Begley EK, Poole HM, Sumnall HR, Frank BF, Montgomery C. Opioid prescribing and social deprivation: A retrospective analysis of prescribing for CNCP in Liverpool CCG. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280958. [PMID: 36888607 PMCID: PMC9994720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treating Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP) with long-term, high dose and more potent opioids puts patients at increased risk of harm, whilst providing limited pain relief. Socially deprived areas mapped from Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores show higher rates of high dose, strong opioid prescribing compared to more affluent areas. OBJECTIVE To explore if opioid prescribing is higher in more deprived areas of Liverpool (UK) and assess the incidence of high dose prescribing to improve clinical pathways for opioid weaning. DESIGN AND SETTING This retrospective observational study used primary care practice and patient level opioid prescribing data for N = 30,474 CNCP patients across Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (LCCG) between August 2016 and August 2018. METHOD A Defined Daily Dose (DDD) was calculated for each patient prescribed opioids. DDD was converted into a Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) and patients stratified according to high (≥120mg) MED cut off. The association between prescribing and deprivation was analysed by linking GP practice codes and IMD scores across LCCG. RESULTS 3.5% of patients were prescribed an average dose above 120mg MED/day. Patients prescribed long-term, high dose, strong opioids were more likely to be female, aged 60+, prescribed three opioids and reside in the North of Liverpool where there is a higher density of areas in the IMD most deprived deciles. CONCLUSION A small but significant proportion of CNCP patients across Liverpool are currently prescribed opioids above the recommended dose threshold of 120mg MED. Identification of fentanyl as a contributor to high dose prescribing resulted in changes to prescribing practice, and reports from NHS pain clinics that fewer patients require tapering from fentanyl. In conclusion, higher rates of high dose opioid prescribing continue to be evident in more socially deprived areas further increasing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K. Begley
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M. Poole
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Harry R. Sumnall
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard F. Frank
- Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
- Pain Research Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Catharine Montgomery
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Chiu K, Thow AM, Bero L. Understanding the Dynamics of More Restrictive Medicines Policy: A Case Study of Codeine Up-Scheduling in Australia. Int J Health Policy Manag 2022; 12:6872. [PMID: 37579455 PMCID: PMC10125097 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2022.6872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been increasing concern over opioid-related harms across the world. In Australia in 2018, codeine-containing products were up-scheduled from over-the-counter access at pharmacies, to requiring a prescription. The drug regulator's decision to up-schedule was contentious and widely debated, due to the potentially large impact on consumers and healthcare professionals. This study aimed to analyse influences on the codeine up-scheduling policy. METHODS This retrospective policy analysis used the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to understand how policy actors with shared beliefs formed adversarial coalitions to shape policy. Data were drawn from documents (regulator policy documents, public submissions, news reports, organisational media releases and position statements) and semi-structured interviews with 15 key policy actors. Codes were generated relating to policy processes and actor beliefs; broad themes included the role of health professionals, perceptions of opioids, impact on consumers, and the role of government in healthcare. RESULTS Two coalitions in this policy subsystem were identified: (1) supportive [with respect to the up-scheduling], and (2) opposing. The key evident beliefs of the supportive coalition were that the harms of codeine outweighed the benefits, and that government regulation was the best pathway for protecting consumers. The opposing coalition believed that the benefits of codeine accessible through pharmacists outweighed any harms, and consumers should manage their health without any more intervention than necessary. The policy decision reflected the influence of the supportive coalition, and this analysis highlighted the importance of their public health framing of the issue, the acceptability of their experts and supporting evidence, and the perceived legitimacy of the up-scheduling process. CONCLUSION Understanding these coalitions, their beliefs, and how they are translated through existing policy processes and institutions provides insight for those interested in influencing future health policy. Specific lessons include the importance of strategic frames and advocacy, and engagement with formal policy processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellia Chiu
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health & Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Marie Thow
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health & Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa Bero
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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McCoy J, Nielsen S, Bruno R. A prospective cohort study evaluating the impact of upscheduling codeine in Australia among frequent users of codeine. Addiction 2022; 117:677-686. [PMID: 34490926 DOI: 10.1111/add.15683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate and document the impacts of re-scheduling codeine to a prescription-only medication in Australia in February 2018. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. Participants completed an on-line survey with a range of outcome measures at four time-points, once before codeine was re-scheduled (November 2017) and three times after the event: 1 month after (February 2018), 4 months after (June 2018) and 12 months after (February 2019). SETTING Australia. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 260 Australians aged 18 years and above who reported regular over-the-counter (OTC) codeine use and, at the time of the study, were not engaged in treatment for codeine dependence. MEASUREMENTS Survey measures included estimates of daily average codeine use (mg) and overall daily average opioid use [calculated using an oral morphine equivalent daily dose (OMEDD, mg)], opioid use disorder with regard to codeine use (using a modified Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV), pain and pain self-efficacy, anxiety and depression and health service use. FINDINGS A reduction in total daily codeine use (mg) from 64.3 mg [95% confidence interval (CI) = 46.7-81.9] in November 2017 (baseline) to 27.6 mg (95% CI = 19.2-36.0) in February 2019 (final time-point) was observed. A decline in the proportion of participants who met criteria for an opioid use disorder was also evident, with 51.2% (n = 133) at baseline relative to 33.3% (n = 58) at the 12-month follow-up. This study had an overall participant retention rate of 67% at the final time-point. CONCLUSION Re-scheduling codeine in Australia has been accompanied by significant reductions in codeine use and prevalence rates of opioid use disorder in a cohort of individuals who regularly use the medication, without apparent adverse impacts on pain or measures of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Frankston, Australia, 3199, Australia
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Yu Y, Wilson M, King CE, Hill R. Up-scheduling and codeine supply in Australia: analysing the intervention and outliers. Addiction 2021; 116:3463-3472. [PMID: 33999465 DOI: 10.1111/add.15566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Over-the-counter codeine products were up-scheduled to prescription only in Australia from February 2018. This trend study aimed to identify changes in codeine supply before and after the February 2018 implementation. DESIGN, SETTING AND CASES Time-series regression analysis of monthly medicine supplies in Australia from 2014 to 2018. The February 2018 up-scheduling was pre-specified as the intervention; outlier analysis was used to detect automatically sudden unexpected changes before February 2018. MEASUREMENTS Per-capita supplies based on national data for pharmaceutical wholesales and population exposure. Weight of supplies in milligrams for low-dose codeine (≤ 15 mg per tablet or ≤ 1.92 mg per ml, originally sold over the counter but up-scheduled after February 2018), high-dose combination codeine (30 mg per tablet, prescription only throughout the study period) and all codeine. FINDINGS Several level shifts in supply occurred during the 5 years, led by one of -4.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) = -6.6 to -2.1%] in high-dose codeine in 2015, followed by shifts in low-dose codeine of -40.0% (CI = -46.9 to -32.3%) and -82.2% (CI = -84.3 to -79.9%), respectively, before and after February 2018. High-dose codeine supply increased by 4.4% (CI = 1.8-7.1%) immediately after up-scheduling. Also detected were transient increases and decreases in 2016 and 2017. Compared with pre-2015 levels, the February 2018 up-scheduling was associated with reductions of 45.7% (CI = 43.2-48.0%) and 89.3% (CI = 87.9-90.6%), respectively, in all and low-dose codeine supply but no change in high-dose codeine supply. The level shifts and transient changes were located around various regulatory activities, including public announcements and expert advisory meetings on up-scheduling. CONCLUSION Up-scheduling of over-the-counter codeine products in Australia in 2018 appears to have been associated with a near halving of Australia's national codeine supply. The transition occurred in multiple forms and phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yu
- Medicines Regulation Division, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health, Australia
| | - Margaret Wilson
- Medicines Regulation Division, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health, Australia
| | - Clare E King
- Medicines Regulation Division, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health, Australia
| | - Richard Hill
- Medicines Regulation Division, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health, Australia
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Rahman S, Trussell A, Pearson SA, Buckley NA, Karanges EA, Cairns R, Litchfield M, Todd A, Gisev N. Trends in transdermal fentanyl utilisation and fatal fentanyl overdose across Australia (2003-2015). Drug Alcohol Rev 2021; 41:435-443. [PMID: 34628699 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fentanyl-related overdose is an ongoing concern among countries with high prescription opioid utilisation. This study examines trends in transdermal fentanyl utilisation and fatal fentanyl overdose across Australia between 2003 and 2015, overall, and by age/sex. METHODS This was a retrospective nationwide study of prescription dispensings and coronial records. Transdermal fentanyl utilisation was examined using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing records. Details of fatal fentanyl overdoses were extracted from the National Coronial Information System. RESULTS Transdermal fentanyl utilisation increased 5.1-fold between 2003 and 2015, from 0.28 to 1.39 mg/1000 population/day and was consistently higher among females and adults aged ≥85 years. The utilisation of higher strength patches (75 and 100 mcg/h) was more common among males aged 25-44 years. A total of 291 fatal fentanyl overdoses were recorded, increasing from no recorded deaths in 2003 to 2.23 deaths/1 000 000 population in 2015. Rates were higher among males (increasing from 0 to 3.72 deaths/1 000 000 population) and for adults aged 25-44 years (increasing from 0 to 5.34 deaths/1 000 000 population). The number of deaths/kg fentanyl dispensed was highest among males aged <25 years (45.45, 95% confidence interval 21.80-83.59). Most deaths (70.1%) involved the intravenous administration of fentanyl from transdermal patches. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Rates of transdermal fentanyl utilisation and fatal fentanyl overdose across Australia increased between 2003 and 2015. Although transdermal fentanyl utilisation was consistently greater among females and older adults, rates of fatal fentanyl overdose were highest among younger males. Interventions to reduce extramedical use among this high-risk population group are necessary to minimise fentanyl-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafkat Rahman
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alex Trussell
- The University of Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Nicholas A Buckley
- The University of Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emily A Karanges
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rose Cairns
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Melisa Litchfield
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Adam Todd
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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12
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Singh B, Rao R. PerspectivesIs there an opioid epidemic in India? J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 43:ii43-ii50. [PMID: 34622293 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bhrigupati Singh
- Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India.,Psychiatry, Carney Institute for Brain Sciences, Brown University, 164 Angell Street, 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Ravindra Rao
- Additional Professor, National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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13
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Busingye D, Daniels B, Brett J, Pollack A, Belcher J, Chidwick K, Blogg S. Patterns of real-world opioid prescribing in Australian general practice (2013-18). Aust J Prim Health 2021; 27:416-424. [PMID: 34521504 DOI: 10.1071/py20270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about private-market opioid prescribing and how Australian opioid policies impact prescribing across public and private markets in Australia. We aimed to investigate publicly subsidised and private-market opioid prescribing from 2013 to 2018. We used prescribing records from MedicineInsight, an Australian primary care database, to examine trends in prescriptions for non-injectable opioid formulations from October 2013 to September 2018. We examined annual opioid prescribing trends overall, by opioid agent, and by market (public and private). We further examined patterns of fentanyl patch prescribing focusing on co-prescribed medicines and use in opioid-naïve patients. Opioids accounted for 8% of all prescriptions over the study period and 468 893 patients were prescribed at least one opioid of interest. Prescribing rates for oxycodone/naloxone and tapentadol increased, whereas those for fentanyl patches, morphine and single-agent oxycodone decreased over the study period. Private-market prescribing rates of codeine (schedule 4) increased notably following its up-scheduling to prescription-only status. Among patients prescribed fentanyl patches, 29% were potentially opioid-naïve and 49% were prescribed another opioid on the same day. The private-medicines market is a small but growing component of opioid use in Australia and one way in which prescribers and patients can avoid access restrictions in the public market for these medicines. Although fentanyl patch prescribing declined, there is room for improvement in prescribing fentanyl patches among opioid-naïve patients, and co-prescribing of fentanyl patches with other sedatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Busingye
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; and Corresponding author.
| | - Benjamin Daniels
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; and Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Level 2, AGSM Building (G27), UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jonathan Brett
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Level 2, AGSM Building (G27), UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Allan Pollack
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Josephine Belcher
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Kendal Chidwick
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Suzanne Blogg
- NPS MedicineWise, Level 7/418A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
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14
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Giummarra MJ, Arnold CA, Beck BB. Evaluation of the Relationship Between Geographic Proximity and Treatment for People Referred to a Metropolitan Multidisciplinary Pain Clinic. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 22:1993-2006. [PMID: 33502515 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined which patient characteristics are associated with traveling further to attend a metropolitan, publicly funded pain management service, and whether travel distance was associated with differences in treatment profile, duration, and percentage of appointments attended. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational cohort study. METHOD Patients ≤70 years of age with a single referral between January 2014 and June 2018 who had not died within 12 months of their first appointment and who had a usual place of residence were included (N = 1,684; mean age = 47.2 years; 55.5% female). Travel distance was calculated with the HERE Routing API on the basis of historical travel times for each scheduled appointment. RESULTS Median travel time was 27.5 minutes (Q1, Q3: 12.5, 46.2). Ordinal regression showed that women had 20% lower odds of traveling further, but people who were overweight or obese (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4-2.3), unemployed (OR = 1.27), or taking higher opioid dosages (OR = 1.79-2.82) had higher odds of traveling further. People traveling >60 minutes had fewer treatment minutes (median = 143 minutes) than people living within 15 minutes of the pain clinic (median = 440 minutes), and a smaller proportion of those traveling >60 minutes attended group programs vs. medical appointments only (n = 35, 17.0%) relative to those living within 15 minutes of their destination (n = 184, 32.6%). People living 16-30 minutes from the clinic missed the highest proportion of appointments. CONCLUSIONS Although people traveling further for treatment may be seeking predominantly medical treatment, particularly opioid medications, the present findings highlight the need to further explore patient triage and program models of care to ensure that people living with persistent disabling pain can access the same level of care, regardless of where they live.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melita J Giummarra
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Caulfield Pain Management and Research Centre, Caulfield Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carolyn A Arnold
- Caulfield Pain Management and Research Centre, Caulfield Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.,Academic Board of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Ben Beck
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Nielsen S, Sanfilippo PG, Scott D, Lam T, Smith K, Lubman DI. Characteristics of oxycodone-related ambulance attendances: analysis of temporal trends and the effect of reformulation in Victoria, Australia from 2013 to 2018. Addiction 2021; 116:2233-2241. [PMID: 33296537 DOI: 10.1111/add.15365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In Australia, oxycodone has been associated with increasing rates of harm over time, despite reduced use, reformulation to a tamper-resistant form and in contrast to most prescription opioids. We explored characteristics of oxycodone-related ambulance attendances to understand whether presentation characteristics could explain increasing oxycodone harm. DESIGN Retrospective study of coded ambulance patient care records related to extramedical oxycodone use, January 2013 to September 2018. SETTING Victoria, Australia. CASES A total of 2788 oxycodone-related ambulance attendances. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were temporal changes in characteristics of oxycodone presentations over time (from 2013 to 2018) and following reformulation. Covariates include demographic characteristics, presentation severity, mental health, substance use and poisoning intent. FINDINGS Average age was 41.3 (± 16.4) years with females comprising 56.4% of attendances (n = 2788). The proportion of females in oxycodone-related attendances increased over time [an average increase in the odds ratios of 5% per year (OR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.10]. Other temporal trends included a reduced likelihood of naloxone administration (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.85-1.00), heroin involvement (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.99), comorbid mental health symptoms (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.82-0.92) and unknown intent poisoning (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85-0.96); and a greater risk of alcohol involvement (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11), non-opioid extramedical pharmaceutical use (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.10), comorbid suicidal thoughts or behaviours (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.15) and past history of psychiatric issues (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.16-1.27). Interrupted time-series analysis showed that reformulation was associated with an immediate effect on sex, severity, accidental poisoning and unknown intent poisoning, although these were not sustained over time. Alcohol involvement in the attendance (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.17-1.74, i.e. an average increase in the odds of 43% per year), Glasgow Coma Scale (OR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.04 - 1.57), a previous history of psychiatric issues (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70-0.92, i.e. an average decrease in the odds of 20% per year, heroin involvement (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05 - 0.98) and illicit drug use (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23 - 0.87) showed statistically significant relative changes following the reformulation. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of oxycodone presentations in Australian ambulances attendances appear to be changing over time, including more female presentations; increasing alcohol use, extramedical use of non-opioid pharmaceuticals and suicidal thoughts or behaviours and decreasing heroin and illicit drug involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul G Sanfilippo
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Debbie Scott
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tina Lam
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Ambulance Victoria, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan I Lubman
- Monash Adiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Victoria, Australia.,Turning Point, Eastern Health and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Arbaeen A, Wheate NJ, Cairns R. Opioid exposures in children under 5 years of age (2004-2019): A retrospective study of calls to Australia's largest poisons information centre. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:883-887. [PMID: 33460248 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To describe time trends in opioid exposures in children under 5 years, and to describe patient demographics, the medicines involved, the reasons for exposure and disposition. METHODS A retrospective analysis of paediatric (<5 years of age) opioid exposure calls to the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC, Australia's largest poison centre), 2004-2019. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine temporal trends. RESULTS There were 4807 cases of paediatric opioid exposure during the 16 year study period, with an average of 300 exposures per year. Exposures increased, 2004-2007, with an annual percentage change (APC) of 14.6% (95% CI = 4.3 to 26.0%), then decreased, 2007-2016, APC -3.4% (95% CI = -5.3 to -1.3%). A steeper decrease was observed after 2016, APC -14.1% (95% CI = -21.8 to -5.6%). The overall APC was -2.3% (95% CI = -4.7 to 0.2%), 2004-2019. Accidental exposures accounted for 86% of calls (4137). The majority of calls were from family members regarding exposures that happened at home, highlighting the need for safety initiatives. The preparations most frequently involved were paracetamol/opioid combination products (primarily codeine), 53% (2566) and ibuprofen/opioid combinations 14% (650). Twenty-two percent of cases were referred to a hospital (1062), and a further 15% (719) of calls originated from hospital staff. CONCLUSION Opioid exposures in young Australian children continue to occur; however, the rate has declined since 2007. Safe storage and parent education initiatives could further reduce the burden of paediatric opioid poisoning in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Arbaeen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nial J Wheate
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rose Cairns
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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17
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Rejas-Gutierrez J, Sicras-Mainar A, Darbà J. Future projections of opioid use and cost in patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain in Spain. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2021; 13:1759720X211010599. [PMID: 33995603 PMCID: PMC8107672 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x211010599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Opioids are widely used in moderate-to-severe chronic pain which is non-responsive to standard analgesics. Prescriptions have increased in Europe in the last decade, although remain lower than in USA. This work projected the future utilization and costs of opioids in chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain in the Spanish National Health System (NHS). Methods: An epidemiological model was populated with the opioid dispensing trends from 2010 to 2019 using Spanish Medicinal Agency rates of opioid utilization in subjects over 18 years of age and the real-world OPIOIDS study to estimate chronic-OA-pain patients receiving opioids. A best-fitted trend analysis model was applied estimating the likely number of DHD (defined daily dose/1000 inhabitants per day) to calculate projected opioid utilization and costs for the period 2020–2029. Results: In 2010, an estimated 5.67 DHD were dispensed for the equivalent of 217,076 chronic OA pain patients per day [1.99 DHD, 76,084 refractory to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)]. From these trends and OA prevalence, the projected number of DHDs is expected to increase more than threefold to 17.98 DHDs by the year 2029 for the equivalent of 727,356 chronic OA pain patients per day (8.18 DHD, 330,720 refractory to NSAIDs); 41.8% on strong opioids. The estimated cost was €116.9m (€45.0m in NSAID-refractory OA) in 2010 rising by 222% to €376.1m (€199.7m refractory to NSAIDs) by 2029. Conclusion: Chronic-OA-pain-related opioid dispensing and costs to the NHS are set to increase more than threefold from 2010 to 2029 in Spain. Using opioids for OA pain is concerning given disease chronicity and other related costs not computed in these projections. Plain language summary • Opioids are widely used in chronic pain which is non-responsive to standard analgesics. Prescriptions have increased in Europe, although remain lower than in USA. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease usually accompanied by pain. Despite not recommended, opioids use in OA have been expanded because this health condition is increasing with ageing and, also, because physicians both primary and specialist boosted their use. • This study aimed to quantify the current burden of opioids used for chronic moderate-to-severe OA pain by estimating the number of defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DHD) and associated costs, and to forecast the likely burden on the National Health System (NHS) in Spain for the years 2020–2029. • In 2010, an estimated 5.67 DHDs were dispensed for the equivalent of 217,076 chronic OA pain patients per day. From these trends, the projected number of DHDs is expected to increase more than threefold to 17.98 DHDs by the year 2029 for the equivalent of 727,356 chronic OA pain patients per day; 41.8% on strong opioids. The estimated cost was €116.9m in 2010 rising by 222% to €376.1m by 2029. • Chronic OA-pain-related opioid dispensing and costs to the NHS are set to increase substantially (threefold to more than fourfold) from 2010 to 2029 in Spain. Thus, using opioids for OA pain is concerning given disease chronicity, aging population and other related costs not computed in these projections. Our findings can inform payors and clinicians about ongoing discussions on appropriate analgesic management for longer-term OA pain, including resource requirements at a national level. Clinicians who prescribe opioids for OA pain should consider the potential implications of side effects such as sedation, cognitive deterioration, incremental need of caregivers, particularly in older people, and carefully consider the risk–benefit balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Rejas-Gutierrez
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes Research, Pfizer, S.L.U., Avda. de Europa, 20-B, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, Alcobendas, Madrid 28108, Spain
| | - Antoni Sicras-Mainar
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Atrys Health, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Darbà
- Department of Economics, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Elphinston RA, Connor JP, de Andrade D, Hipper L, Freeman C, Chan G, Sterling M. Impact of a policy change restricting access to codeine on prescription opioid-related emergency department presentations: an interrupted time series analysis. Pain 2021; 162:1095-1103. [PMID: 33086287 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Codeine is one of the most commonly used opioid analgesics. Significant codeine-related morbidity and mortality prompted regulatory responses, with the up-scheduling of codeine combination analgesics to prescription-only medicines implemented in Australia in February 2018. This study investigated the impact of codeine up-scheduling on the number of codeine and other (noncodeine) prescription opioid-related emergency department (ED) presentations in a large metropolitan tertiary hospital. Clinical features of these presentations were also examined. Interrupted time series analyses assessed monthly changes in ED presentations from June 2016 to November 2019. In the month immediately after up-scheduling, there was a significant reduction of 3.97 codeine-related presentations (B = -3.97, P = 0.022), indicating a 29.66% level change, followed by a significant change in trend to fewer monthly codeine-related presentations (B = -0.38, P = 0.005). Noncodeine prescription opioid-related (B = -1.90, P = 0.446) and ED presentations overall (B = -118.04, P = 0.140) remained unchanged immediately post-up-scheduling, with a significant change in trend from upward to downward for noncodeine (B = -0.76; P = 0.002) and ED presentations overall (B = -19.34, P = 0.022). A significant reduction of 4.58 (B = -4.58, P = 0.009) in codeine presentations involving subsequent hospital admission immediately post-up-scheduling was found; but no immediate reduction in codeine-related suicide-related overdoses, length of inpatient stay, or re-presentations (P > 0.0125; adjusted for multiple comparisons). Restricting supply of codeine to prescription-only may have resulted in less harmful codeine-related use in the community, without a corresponding immediate decrease in other opioid-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Elphinston
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Addiction and Mental Health Service, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury Recovery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jason P Connor
- Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- National Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dominique de Andrade
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Linda Hipper
- Addiction and Mental Health Service, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris Freeman
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gary Chan
- National Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury Recovery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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19
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Ackerman IN, Fotis K, Pearson L, Schoch P, Broughton N, Brennan-Olsen SL, Bucknill A, Cross E, Bunting-Frame N, Page RS. Impaired health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and productivity loss in younger people with persistent shoulder pain: a cross-sectional analysis. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:3785-3794. [PMID: 33620022 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1887376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate wellbeing and work impacts in younger people with persistent shoulder pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS People aged 20-55 years with shoulder pain of >6 weeks' duration (excluding those with recent fracture or dislocation) were recruited from orthopaedic clinics at three major public hospitals. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological distress were evaluated using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and K10 instruments and compared to population norms. Shoulder-related absenteeism and presenteeism were quantified using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) Questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 81 participants (54% male), 69% had shoulder pain for over 12 months. Substantial HRQoL impairment was evident (mean reduction from population norms 0.33 AQoL units, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.27; minimal important difference 0.06 AQoL units). High or very high psychological distress was three times more prevalent among participants than the general population (relative risk 3.67, 95% CI 2.94 to 4.59). One-quarter of participants had ceased paid employment due to shoulder pain and 77% reported shoulder-related impairment at work. CONCLUSIONS The broader impacts of painful shoulder conditions on younger people extend well beyond pain and upper limb functional limitations. In particular, the work-related impacts should form a routine part of patient assessment and rehabilitation.Implications for rehabilitationPersistent shoulder pain in younger people (aged 20-55 years) is associated with substantially reduced health-related quality of life and greater psychological distress, compared to population norms, as well as work participation and productivity impacts.As rotator cuff conditions, shoulder capsule pathology, and glenohumeral instability are relatively common, our data suggest that persistent shoulder pain is likely to have a high community impact among people of working age.Information resources that people with painful shoulder conditions can share with their families, employers, and colleagues may assist others to better understand the broader impacts of these conditions.Work-related challenges associated with shoulder pain should be considered within routine clinical care, and may require referral to an occupational health clinician or vocational rehabilitation service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana N Ackerman
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kathy Fotis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lauren Pearson
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Schoch
- Physiotherapy Department, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Nigel Broughton
- Orthopaedic Department, Frankston Hospital, Frankston, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon L Brennan-Olsen
- Department of Medicine - Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andrew Bucknill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily Cross
- Physiotherapy Department, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Richard S Page
- Barwon Centre for Orthopaedic Research and Education (B-CORE), St John of God Hospital and Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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20
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Donovan PJ, Arroyo D, Pattullo C, Bell A. Trends in opioid prescribing in Australia: a systematic review. AUST HEALTH REV 2021; 44:277-287. [PMID: 32241339 DOI: 10.1071/ah18245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective This review systematically identified studies that estimated the prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia, assessed the prevalence estimates for bias and identified areas for future research. Methods Literature published after 2000 containing a potentially representative estimate of prescription opioid use in adults, in the community setting, in Australia was included in this review. Studies that solely assessed opioid replacement, illicit opioid usage or acute hospital in-patient use were excluded. Databases searched included PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the grey literature. Results The search identified 2253 peer-reviewed publications, with 34 requiring full-text review. Of these, 20 were included in the final qualitative analysis, in addition to four publications from the grey literature. Most studies included analysed prescription claims data for medicines dispensed via Australia's national medicines subsidy scheme (the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Although data sources were good quality, all prevalence estimates were at least at moderate risk of bias, predominantly due to incompleteness of data or potential confounding. Included publications demonstrated a significant rise in opioid use up to 2017 (including a 15-fold increase in prescriptions dispensed over the 20 years to 2015), predominantly driven by a sharp rise in oxycodone use. Although opioid prescription numbers continue to escalate, usage, as measured by oral morphine equivalent per capita, may have plateaued since 2014. Codeine remains the most prevalently obtained opioid, followed by oxycodone and tramadol. There was a substantial delay (median 30 months; interquartile range 20-37 months) to publication of opioid usage data from time of availability. Conclusions Australia has experienced a marked increase in opioid prescribing since the 1990s. Current published literature is restricted to incomplete, delayed and historical data, limiting the ability of clinicians and policy makers to intervene appropriately. What is known about the topic? Opioid prescriptions in Australia have continued to increase since the 1990s and may be mirroring the epidemic being seen in the US. What does this paper add? This paper systematically identifies all publications that have examined the prevalence of prescription opioid use in Australia since 2000, and only identified prevalence estimates that were at moderate or high risk of bias, and found significant delays to publication of these estimates. What are the implications for practitioners? Because published literature on the prevalence of prescription opioid consumption is restricted to incomplete, delayed and historical data, the ability of clinicians and policy makers to appropriately intervene to curb prescription opioid use is limited. A national policy of real-time monitoring and reporting of opioid prescribing may support improvements in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Donovan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, cnr Butterfield Street and Bowen Bridge Road, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia. ; and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 288 Herston Road, Herston, Qld 4066, Australia. ; and Corresponding author.
| | - David Arroyo
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 288 Herston Road, Herston, Qld 4066, Australia.
| | - Champika Pattullo
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, cnr Butterfield Street and Bowen Bridge Road, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia.
| | - Anthony Bell
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 288 Herston Road, Herston, Qld 4066, Australia. ; and The Wesley Hospital, 451 Coronation Drive, Auchenflower, Brisbane, Qld 4066, Australia.
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Egunsola O, Buckley NA, Raubenheimer JE. Price mark-up on the street sales of prescription pharmaceuticals in Australia. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1851405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Egunsola
- Pharmacology, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Buckley
- Pharmacology, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia
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Jobski K, Dörks M, Bantel C, Hoffmann F. Regional Differences in Opioid Prescribing in Germany - Results of an Analysis of Health Insurance Data of 57 Million Adult People. J Pain Res 2020; 13:2483-2492. [PMID: 33116790 PMCID: PMC7548317 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s259009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regional variations of opioid use have been reported from many countries. The objective of this study was to examine opioid prescribing patterns in Germany including low- and high-potency opioids (LPO and HPO) focusing on regional differences. Methods Data source was the "Information system for health care data" comprising statutory health insurance funds data for about 70 million Germans of all ages. For 2010, we received aggregated data (by age, sex, federal state and district) of Germans (18+) who had been prescribed at least one opioid including the number of prescribed packages. For each stratum, we further received the number of insured persons. We calculated LPO and HPO prevalences and the mean number of prescribed packages. Results Among 57 million adult Germans (mean age: 50.2 years, 53.8% female), opioid prevalences were 38.7 per 1000 persons for LPOs and 12.8 for HPOs. Prevalences rose with increasing age and were higher in women than in men. On average, LPO users were prescribed fewer packages than HPO users (3.5 vs 7.0). LPO use was highest in the eastern states ranging from 32.9 per 1000 persons (Hamburg) to 47.2 (Saxony-Anhalt). HPOs were most often prescribed in the North and in the East with prevalences varying between 10.6 per 1000 persons (Baden-Württemberg) and 16.9 (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). On the district level, prevalences varied by the factors 2.6 and 3.2 for LPOs and HPOs, respectively. Conclusion We found large regional variations in opioid prescribing which probably cannot only be attributed to differences in patient characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jobski
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Michael Dörks
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Bantel
- University Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Falk Hoffmann
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Wilson J, Lam T, Scott D, Crossin R, Matthews S, Smith K, Lubman DI, Nielsen S. ‘Extreme personal stress’ and ‘a lot of pain’: Exploring the physical, mental and social contexts of extramedical pharmaceutical opioid use in Australian paramedic case descriptions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2020; 39:870-878. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.13118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Wilson
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Tina Lam
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Debbie Scott
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Rose Crossin
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Sharon Matthews
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Monash University Melbourne Australia
- Ambulance Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Dan I. Lubman
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Turning Point, Eastern Health Melbourne Australia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Melbourne Australia
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Dental opioid prescribing rates after the up-scheduling of codeine in Australia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8463. [PMID: 32439950 PMCID: PMC7242453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65390-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The misuse of pharmaceutical opioids is a major public health issue. In Australia, codeine was re-scheduled on 1 February 2018 to restrict access; it is now only available on prescription. The aim of this study was to measure the change in dental opioid prescriptions, one year before and after the codeine re-scheduling in Australia and to assess dental prescribing rates of opioids for 2018 by population and by clinician. Data was extracted for dental opioids for the year immediately prior and after the codeine up-schedule (1 February 2017-31 January 2019) from the publicly-available national prescription database (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Descriptive statistics, T-tests and odds ratios were used to identify significant prescribing differences. Codeine, codeine/paracetamol, oxycodone and tramadol use increased significantly the year after the codeine restriction than the previous year (13.8–101.1%). Australian dentists prescribed 8.6 prescriptions/1,000 population in 2018, with codeine/paracetamol accounting for most prescriptions (96%). The significant increase in opioid prescribing highlights that Australian dentists may be contributing to the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids. Educational efforts should be targeted at the appropriate use of opioids and patient selection. Dentists should be added to the prescription monitoring system SafeScript so they can make informed decisions for patients who are potentially misusing opioids.
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Mishriky J, Stupans I, Chan V. The views of Australian adults experiencing pain on the upscheduling of codeine-containing analgesics to 'prescription only'. Int J Clin Pharm 2020; 43:386-393. [PMID: 32301065 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-020-01026-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Codeine is one of the most commonly used opioids worldwide and is available in different formulations, often combined with other simple analgesics. There is a growing concern of the potential harms associated with codeine misuse in the Australian community, and for this reason codeine containing analgesics have been upscheduled in Australia to 'prescription only medicines' from February 2018. There is currently limited knowledge on the views of Australian adults experiencing pain symptoms on this codeine restriction, and whether this change has impacted their ability to adequately manage their pain. Objective To investigate the views of adults experiencing pain on the 2018 codeine upscheduling in Australia. Setting Adults experiencing pain symptoms, predominantly recruited from Victoria, Australia. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested customised anonymous self-administered questionnaire between January and March 2019. To capture a broad range of demographics, participants were recruited from ten Victorian community pharmacies across metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Main outcome measure Opinions of Australian adults experiencing pain to targeted questions regarding the 2018 codeine upscheduling, including perceived advantages and disadvantages. Results A total of 120 participants completed the questionnaire. Sixty-two (52%) participants agreed/strongly agreed that codeine was helpful in alleviating pain symptoms before a prescription was required; while 43% of participants felt the codeine restriction has made it more difficult to manage their pain, with 33% unsure. Participants who were in favour of the codeine upscheduling believed that they are now more encouraged to consult healthcare professionals and make better use of the pain management services made available to them in the Australian community; however some now question the value of pharmacists in this context, given that there is now a reduced array of analgesic medicines available at pharmacies without a prescription. Conclusion This study showed there are mixed views, with some participants being unsure or not in favour of the codeine upscheduling, particularly based on qualitative responses. There is also opportunity in this space for healthcare providers to extend beyond standard practice and offer alternative pain management advice and support now that codeine is no longer available in Australian pharmacies without a prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mishriky
- Pharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Ieva Stupans
- Pharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Vincent Chan
- Pharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia.
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Dobbin MD. From over‐the‐counter to prescription only: early results of the rescheduling of codeine combination analgesics. Med J Aust 2020; 212:305-306. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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McCoy J, Nielsen S, Bruno R. Impact of Removing Nonprescription Codeine in Australia: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 9:e15540. [PMID: 32167481 PMCID: PMC7101496 DOI: 10.2196/15540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background On February 1, 2018, Australia rescheduled codeine to a prescription-only medication. Many concerns were associated with this change, including increased financial costs, reduced service accessibility, the potential for poorer pain management, and a decline in physical and mental health if codeine could not be accessed. In the research literature, there is limited knowledge about the long-term consequences of rescheduling pharmaceutical opioids and, as Australia has followed many countries in implementing a restriction on codeine, further study of these consequences is critical. Objective The goal of this study was to examine the impact of rescheduling codeine from an over-the-counter (OTC) product to a prescription-only medicine on the primary measures of codeine use and dependence in a prospective cohort of people who are frequent consumers of OTC codeine. Secondary measures included pain and self-efficacy, health service use, and mental health. Methods The Codeine Cohort study aimed to recruit 300 participants in Australia who regularly (at least a few times per week for the past 6 months) used OTC codeine. Using an online survey, participants were followed up at three time points (February 2018, June 2018, and February 2019) after codeine was rescheduled. Results All four waves of data collection are complete, with the final round of data collection finalized in August 2019. Data analyses are yet to be completed. Information on demographics, codeine use and dependence, physical and mental health, medication use, and health service use will be analyzed using mixed models. Conclusions Results of this study will provide insight into the effectiveness of regulatory restriction in curtailing nonmedical use of and harms associated with codeine. Additionally, results will explore positive and negative outcomes of codeine rescheduling for individual patients, which informs health professionals who support patients who use codeine and further community education. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15540
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Cairns R, Schaffer AL, Brown JA, Pearson SA, Buckley NA. Codeine use and harms in Australia: evaluating the effects of re-scheduling. Addiction 2020; 115:451-459. [PMID: 31577369 DOI: 10.1111/add.14798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Globally, codeine is the most-used opioid. In December 2016, Australia announced that low-strength codeine (≤ 15 mg) would be re-scheduled and no longer available for purchase over-the-counter; this was implemented in February 2018. We aimed to evaluate the effect of this scheduling change on codeine misuse and use and misuse of other opioids. DESIGN AND SETTING Interrupted time-series analysis of monthly opioid exposure calls to New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC, captures 50% of Australia's poisoning calls), January 2015- January 2019 and monthly national codeine sales, March 2015-March 2019. We incorporated a washout period (January 2017 - January 2018) between the announcement and implementation, when prescriber/consumer behaviour may have been influenced. PARTICIPANTS Intentional opioid overdoses resulting in a call to NSWPIC. MEASUREMENTS We used linear segmented regression to identify abrupt changes in level and slope of fitted lines. Codeine poisonings and sales were stratified into high strength (> 15 mg per dose unit) and low strength (≤ 15 mg). Only low-strength formulations were re-scheduled. FINDINGS We observed an abrupt -50.8 percentage [95% confidence interval (CI) = -79.0 to -22.6%] level change in monthly codeine-related poisonings and no change in slope in the 12 months after February 2018. There was no increase in calls to the NSWPIC for high-strength products, level change: -37.2% (95% CI = -82.3 to 8%) or non-codeine opioids, level change: -4.4% (95% CI = -33.3 to 24.4%). Overall, the re-scheduling resulted in a level change in opioid calls of -35.8% calls/month (95% CI = -51.2 to -20.4%). Low-strength codeine sales decreased by 87.3% (95% CI = -88.5 to -85.9%), with no increase in high-strength codeine sales in the 14 months following re-scheduling, -4.0% (95% CI = -19.6 to 14.6%). CONCLUSIONS Codeine re-scheduling in Australia appears to have reduced codeine misuse and sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Cairns
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrea L Schaffer
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jared A Brown
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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The Promotion of Policy Changes Restricting Access to Codeine Medicines on Twitter: What do National Pain Organizations Say? THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2019; 21:881-891. [PMID: 31857206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Codeine is one of the most common opioid medicines for treating pain. Australia introduced policy changes in February 2018 to up-schedule codeine to prescription-only medicine due to concerns of adverse effects, opioid dependency, and overdose-related mortality. This study investigated the frequency and content of messages promoted on Twitter by 4 Australian peak pain organizations, pre- and postpolicy implementation. A time series analysis examined frequency of Twitter posts over a 48-week period. Text analysis via Leximancer examined message content. Results showed that promotion and education of the pending policy change dominated the Twitter feed prior to up-scheduling. However, immediately following policy change, there was a shift in content towards promoting conferences and research, and a significant decrease in the frequency of codeine-related posts, compared to opioid-related non-codeine posts. The findings suggest that pain organizations can provide timely and educational policy dissemination in the online environment. They have implications for individuals with chronic pain who use the Internet for health information and the degree to which they can trust these sources, as well as health professionals. Further research is required to determine if public health campaigns can be targeted to prevent opioid-related harm and improve pain care via this increasingly used medium. PERSPECTIVE: This study presents a first look at what information is being communicated by influential pain organizations that have an online Twitter presence and how messages were delivered during a major policy change restricting access to codeine medicines. Insights could drive targeted future online health campaigns for improved pain management.
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Veal F, Thompson A, Halliday S, Boyles P, Orlikowski C, Huckerby E, Bereznicki L. Does prescribing of immediate release oxycodone by emergency medicine physicians result in persistence of Schedule 8 opioids following discharge? Emerg Med Australas 2019; 32:489-493. [PMID: 31837655 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the prevalence of oxycodone immediate release (IR) prescribed during an ED admission and the persistence of Schedule 8 (S8) opioids following an ED admission. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional audit was undertaken reviewing all admission at the ED of the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, between 1 August and 30 September 2016. The admissions lists for ED were cross matched with the narcotic registers for oxycodone IR (the most commonly supplied S8 in ED) to identify how many patients received IR oxycodone during their ED admissions. Determination of the persistence of opioid use in opioid naïve patients was then undertaken using the Tasmanian real time reporting database of all S8 opioid dispensed in Tasmania (DAPIS). RESULTS There were 8432 ED admissions for 7065 patients aged over 13 years. IR oxycodone was prescribed during 1049 of these admissions (12.4%). Of the patients who were not taking regularly prescribed S8 opioids prior to their ED admission (n = 853), 48 patients (5.6%) were taking S8 opioids at both 2 and 6 months following their ED admission. Thirty patients (2.8%) were approved for authorities for long-term opioids for non-cancer pain. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that prescribing of IR oxycodone within ED is lower than previous studies. Additionally, the progression to regular chronic opioid use following an ED admission where IR oxycodone was given was relatively low with 3.0% of opioid naïve patients being approved for indications related to chronic non-cancer pain in the following 6 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Veal
- Unit for Medication Outcomes Research & Education (UMORE), Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Angus Thompson
- Unit for Medication Outcomes Research & Education (UMORE), Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Samuel Halliday
- Department of Health, Tasmanian Government, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Peter Boyles
- Department of Health, Tasmanian Government, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Emma Huckerby
- Emergency Department, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Luke Bereznicki
- Unit for Medication Outcomes Research & Education (UMORE), Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Thylstrup B, Hesse M, Jørgensen M, Thiesen H. One opioid user saving another: the first study of an opioid overdose-reversal and naloxone distribution program addressing hard-to-reach drug scenes in Denmark. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:66. [PMID: 31805969 PMCID: PMC6896775 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0328-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Overdose education and naloxone distribution programs decrease opioid overdose deaths. However, no studies of such programs have been carried out in Denmark. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the effect of a broader “training-the-trainers” model in low-threshold settings after participation in the “Danish Save Lives” [SL] program. Methods Between May 2013 and November 2015, 552 participants from four municipalities took part in the SL program. The program is built on the train-the-trainers model where a central trainer trains others (trainers), who in turn train others (helpers). Participants were 30 police officers (5%), 188 people who use opioids (34%), 23 significant others (4%), and 217 social workers (39%). Ninety-four participants could not be classified (17%). At follow-up, participants were interviewed to determine the number and outcomes of opioid overdoses. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of treating an overdose. Results In all, 37 (7%) participants had intervened in 45 opioid overdose events (two trainers and 35 helpers). Detailed descriptions of the overdose event were available from 32 follow-up interviews (70%). In 16 cases, the person who intervened was already present at the site when the overdose occurred, and in 17 cases, the overdose victim recovered without complications. All overdose victims survived except one. People who used opioids were more likely to have treated an overdose than other participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.50, p = 0.001), and the likelihood of treating and overdose declined over time AOR = 0.37 (0.13, 0.93), p = 0.034). Conclusions Prevention programs that target people who use opioids are more likely to be effective than programs that target professionals, especially in high-risk settings that can be hard for paramedics to reach. A future goal is to explore how prevention programs can be adapted to new user groups. Trial registration The Danish Data Protection Agency, 2015-57-0002, Aarhus University, 2016-051-000001, 184, retrospectively registered
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Thylstrup
- Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Bartholins Allé 10, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Morten Hesse
- Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Bartholins Allé 10, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marian Jørgensen
- HealthTeam for Homeless, Save Lives Program, Sundholmsvej 18, 2300, København S, Denmark
| | - Henrik Thiesen
- HealthTeam for Homeless, Save Lives Program, Sundholmsvej 18, 2300, København S, Denmark
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Bell J, Paget SP, Nielsen TC, Buckley NA, Collins J, Pearson SA, Nassar N. Prescription opioid dispensing in Australian children and adolescents: a national population-based study. THE LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2019; 3:881-888. [DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(19)30329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pain, Anxiety, and Depression in the First Two Years Following Transport-Related Major Trauma: A Population-Based, Prospective Registry Cohort Study. PAIN MEDICINE 2019; 21:291-307. [DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to characterize the population prevalence of pain and mental health problems postinjury and to identify risk factors that could improve service delivery to optimize recovery of at-risk patients.
Methods
This population-based registry cohort study included 5,350 adult survivors of transport-related major trauma injuries from the Victorian State Trauma Registry. Outcome profiles were generated separately for pain and mental health outcomes using the “pain or discomfort” and “anxiety or depression” items of the EuroQol Five Dimensions Three-Level questionnaire at six, 12, and 24 months postinjury. Profiles were “resilient” (no problems at every follow-up), “recovered” (problems at six- and/or 12-month follow-up that later resolved), “worsening” (problems at 12 and/or 24 months after no problems at six and/or 12 months), and “persistent” (problems at every follow-up).
Results
Most participants had persistent (pain/discomfort, N = 2,171, 39.7%; anxiety/depression, N = 1,428, 26.2%) and resilient profiles (pain/discomfort, N = 1,220, 22.3%; anxiety/depression, N = 2,055, 37.7%), followed by recovered (pain/discomfort, N = 1,116, 20.4%; anxiety/depression, N = 1,025, 18.8%) and worsening profiles (pain/discomfort, N = 956, 17.5%; anxiety/depression, N = 948, 17.4%). Adjusted multinomial logistic regressions showed increased risk of problems (persistent, worsening, or resolved) vs no problems (resilient) in relation to female sex, middle age, neighborhood disadvantage, pre-injury unemployment, pre-injury disability, and spinal cord injury. People living in rural areas, motorcyclists, pedal cyclists, and people with head, chest, and abdominal injuries had lower risk of problems.
Discussion
Targeted interventions delivered to people with the risk factors identified may help to attenuate the severity and impact of pain and mental health problems after transport injury.
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Nielsen S, Crossin R, Middleton M, Martin C, Wilson J, Lam T, Scott D, Smith K, Lubman D. Comparing rates and characteristics of ambulance attendances related to extramedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in Australia: a protocol for a retrospective observational study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e029170. [PMID: 31138584 PMCID: PMC6549600 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Extramedical use of, and associated harms with pharmaceutical opioids are common. Analysis of coded ambulance clinical records provides a unique opportunity to examine a national population-level indicator of relative harms. This protocol describes an observational study with three aims: (1) to compare supply adjusted rates of pharmaceutical opioid-related ambulance attendances for buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, oxycodone-naloxone, morphine, pethidine, tramadol and tapentadol; (2) to compare presentation characteristics for these commonly used pharmaceutical opioids and (3) to describe the context surrounding ambulance presentations related to oxycodone, a widely used opioid with an established abuse liability, and tapentadol, a more recent 'atypical' opioid on the Australian market, with fewer studies that have directly examined signals of extramedical use. METHOD Trained coders extract data from clinical records for ambulance presentations relating to extramedical use of commonly used pharmaceutical opioids. These data form the basis of a large, national database that captures alcohol-related and drug-related harms. Supply adjusted rates of presentations will be examined using Poisson regression. Multinomial logistic regression will be used to compare severity and other characteristics of attendances relating to different pharmaceutical opioids. Tapentadol-related and oxycodone-related cases will be qualitatively examined to understand the situationally specific contexts of the ambulance attendances outside of the characteristics captured in routinely coded variables. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval related to analysis of ambulance attendance data was obtained from the Eastern Health Human Research Ethics Committee (E122 08-09), with an amendment specific to the qualitative analysis. Findings will be submitted for peer review in 2019. The understanding of risk profiles in real-world settings is of international public health importance. The analysis and publication of findings from this national dataset of clinical records will provide one of the most nuanced analyses to date of relative harms across nine pharmaceutical opioids over a 6-year period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Turning Point, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, North Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rose Crossin
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Turning Point, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, North Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melissa Middleton
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Martin
- Biostatistics Unit, Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Wilson
- Turning Point, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, North Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tina Lam
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Debbie Scott
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Turning Point, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, North Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan Lubman
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Turning Point, Monash University Eastern Health Clinical School, North Richmond, Victoria, Australia
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Jacka B, Kemp R, Degenhardt L, Peacock A, Clare P, Bruno R, Dev A, Sotade O, Larance B. Trends in methamphetamine and opioid use among clients of needle-syringe programs in Queensland, Australia: 2007-2015. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 38:159-168. [PMID: 30761653 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Needle-syringe programs (NSP) are an underutilized source of data on drug injection trends; these data are essential for informing public health interventions. We examine trends in NSP service occasions from 2007-2015. DESIGN AND METHODS Using standardised data from 26 NSP outlets through the Queensland NSP Minimum Data Set (QNSPMDS), trends in service occasions among clients intending to inject methamphetamine, heroin, opioid substitution therapy (OST) medications and other pharmaceutical opioids were assessed using multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial regression, adjusting for month, year, age and clustering by site. RESULTS Over 1.5 million service occasions were recorded in 2007-2015. Methamphetamine was the main 'drug intended to inject' (33.7%), however cf. 2007, the incidence rate ratio decreased to 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.66) in 2009, remaining low until 2015. Among clients reporting methamphetamine injection, there was a shift in the form from base to the higher-potency crystal methamphetamine since 2012. Heroin injection (22.5% service occasions) initially increased (cf. 2007), followed by a decline to 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.79) in 2015. Significant and sustained increases in OST and other pharmaceutical opioids injection were observed throughout the study period, accounting for 7.2% and 19.8% of total visits, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The QNSPMDS provides unique, routinely collected, jurisdiction-wide and standardised data on the demographics of people who inject drugs, types of drugs injected and regional variations; these data are essential in informing policy, planning and program implementation. There remains significant opportunity to enhance engagement and linkage to care alongside needle-syringe provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Jacka
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robert Kemp
- Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medicine (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Philip Clare
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- School of Medicine (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Abhilash Dev
- Chief Medical Officer and Healthcare Regulation Branch, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Briony Larance
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Curtis HJ, Croker R, Walker AJ, Richards GC, Quinlan J, Goldacre B. Opioid prescribing trends and geographical variation in England, 1998-2018: a retrospective database study. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:140-150. [PMID: 30580987 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30471-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a call for greater monitoring of opioid prescribing in the UK, particularly of strong opioids in chronic pain, for which there is little evidence of clinical benefit. We aimed to comprehensively assess trends and variation in opioid prescribing in primary care in England, from 1998 to 2018, and to assess factors associated with high-dose opioid prescribing behaviour in general practices. METHODS We did a retrospective database study using open data sources on prescribing for all general practices in England. For all standard opioids we calculated the number of items prescribed, costs, and oral morphine equivalency to account for variation in strength. We assessed long-term prescribing trends from 1998 to 2017, patterns of geographical variation for 2018, and investigated practice factors associated with higher opioid prescribing. We also analysed prescriptions for long-acting opioids at high doses. FINDINGS Between 1998 and 2016, opioid prescriptions increased by 34% in England (from 568 per 1000 patients to 761 per 1000). After correcting for total oral morphine equivalency, the increase was 127% (from 190 000 mg to 431 000 mg per 1000 population). There was a decline in prescriptions from 2016 to 2017. If every practice prescribed high-dose opioids at the lowest decile rate, 543 000 fewer high-dose prescriptions could have been issued over a period of 6 months. Larger practice list size, ruralness, and deprivation were associated with greater high-dose prescribing rates. The clinical commissioning group to which a practice belongs accounted for 11·7% of the variation in high-dose prescribing. We have developed a publicly available interactive online tool, OpenPrescribing.net, which displays all primary care opioid prescribing data in England down to the individual practice level. INTERPRETATION Failing to account for opioid strength would substantially underestimate the true increase in opioid prescribing in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Our findings support calls for greater action to promote best practice in chronic pain prescribing and to reduce geographical variation. This study provides a model for routine monitoring of opioid prescribing to aid targeting of interventions to reduce high-dose prescribing. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School of Primary Care Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Oxford, NHS England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen J Curtis
- The DataLab, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Croker
- The DataLab, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
| | - Alex J Walker
- The DataLab, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
| | - Georgia C Richards
- Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane Quinlan
- Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ben Goldacre
- The DataLab, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK.
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Gilmartin-Thomas JFM, Bell JS, Liew D, Arnold CA, Buchbinder R, Chapman C, Cicuttini F, Dobbin M, Gibson SJ, Giummarra MJ, Gowan J, Katz B, Lubman DI, McCrone M, Pilgrim J, Synnot A, van Dyk E, Workman B, McNeil J. Chronic pain medication management of older populations: Key points from a national conference and innovative opportunities for pharmacy practice. Res Social Adm Pharm 2019; 15:207-213. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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White R, Hayes C, Boyes AW, Chiu S, Paul CL. General practitioners and management of chronic noncancer pain: a cross-sectional survey of influences on opioid deprescribing. J Pain Res 2019; 12:467-475. [PMID: 30774416 PMCID: PMC6348964 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s168785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background General practitioners’ (GPs) views about deprescribing prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) may influence the care provided for patients experiencing chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). There are limited data addressing GPs’ beliefs about deprescribing, including their decisions to deprescribe different types of POAs. Aim To determine the proportion of GPs who hold attitudes congruent with local pain stewardship, describe their deprescribing decisions, and determine whether type of POA influences deprescribing. Design and setting In 2016, a cross-sectional survey of all GPs (n=1,570) in one mixed urban and regional primary health network (PHN) in Australia was undertaken. Methods A mailed self-report questionnaire assessed agreement with local guidelines for treating CNCP; influences on deprescribing POAs and likelihood of deprescribing in a hypothetical case involving either oral codeine or oxycodone. Results A response rate of 46% was achieved. Approximately half (54%) of GPs agreed POAs should be reserved for people with acute, cancer pain or palliative care and a third (32%) did not agree that a medication focus has limited benefits for peoples’ long-term quality of life and function. Most (77%) GPs were less likely to deprescribe when effective alternate treatments were lacking, while various patient factors (eg, fear of weaning) were reported to decrease the likelihood of deprescribing for 25% of GPs. A significantly higher proportion of GPs reported being very likely to deprescribe codeine compared to the equivalent opioid dose of oxycodone for a hypothetical patient. Conclusions Many GPs in the PHN hold attitudes at odds with local guidance that opioids are a nonsuperior treatment for CNCP. Attitudinal barriers to deprescribing include: a lack of consistent approach to deprescribing opioids as a class of drugs, perceived lack of effective treatment alternatives and patient fear of deprescribing. Therefore, the next step in this target population is to appropriately train and support GPs in how to apply the evidence in practice and how to support patients appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth White
- Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia,
| | - Chris Hayes
- Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia,
| | - Allison W Boyes
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Chiu
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine L Paul
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Chen TC, Chen LC, Kerry M, Knaggs RD. Prescription opioids: Regional variation and socioeconomic status - evidence from primary care in England. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 64:87-94. [PMID: 30641450 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to quantify opioid prescriptions dispensed from primary care practices throughout England and investigate its association with socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS This cross-sectional study used publicly available data in 2015, including practice-level dispensing data and characteristics of registrants from the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service Digital, and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) data from Department of Communities and Local Government. Practices in England which issued opioid prescriptions that could be assigned a defined daily dose (DDD) in the claim-based dispensing database were included. The total amount of opioid prescriptions dispensed (DDD/1000 registrants/day) was calculated for each practice. The association between dispensed opioid prescriptions and IMD was analyzed by multi-level regression and adjusted for registrants' characteristics and the clustered effect of Clinical Commissioning Groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted for practices in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. RESULTS Of the 7856 included practices in England, the median and interquartile range (IQR) of prescription opioids dispensed was 36.9 (IQR: 23.1, 52.5) DDD/1000 registrants/day. The median opioid utilization (DDD/1000 registrants/day) amongst practices varied between Manchester (53.1; IQR: 36.8, 71.4), Newcastle (48.9; IQR: 38.8, 60.1), Birmingham (35.3; IQR: 23.1, 49.4) and London (13.9; IQR: 8.1, 18.8). Lower SES, increased prevalence of patients aged more than 65 years, female gender, smoking, obesity and depression were significantly associated with increased opioid prescriptions. For every decrease in IMD decile (lower SES), there was a significant increase of opioid utilization by 1.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.89, 1.2, P < 0.001) DDD/1000 registrants/day. CONCLUSION There was substantial variation in opioid prescriptions among practices from Northern and Eastern England to Southern England. A significant association between increased opioid prescriptions and greater deprivation at a population level was observed. Further longitudinal studies using individual patient data are needed to validate this association and identify the potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Chou Chen
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, East Drive, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
| | - Li-Chia Chen
- Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Miriam Kerry
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, East Drive, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
| | - Roger David Knaggs
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, East Drive, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom; Primary Integrated Community Solutions, Unit 4 Ash Tree Court, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham NG6 8PY, United Kingdom.
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40
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Gisev N, Pearson SA, Dobbins T, Currow DC, Blyth F, Larney S, Dunlop A, Mattick RP, Wilson A, Degenhardt L. Combating escalating harms associated with pharmaceutical opioid use in Australia: the POPPY II study protocol. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e025840. [PMID: 30518593 PMCID: PMC6286479 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid prescribing has increased 15-fold in Australia in the past two decades, alongside increases in a range of opioid-related harms such as opioid dependence and overdose. However, despite concerns about increasing opioid use, extramedical use and harms, there is a lack of population-level evidence about the drivers of long-term prescribed opioid use, dependence, overdose and other harms. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will form a cohort of all adult residents in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, who initiated prescribed opioids from 2002 using Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing records. This cohort will be linked to a wide range of other datasets containing information on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, health service use and adverse outcomes (eg, opioid dependence and non-fatal and fatal overdose). Analyses will initially examine patterns and predictors of prescribed opioid use and then apply regression and survival analysis to quantify the risks and risk factors of adverse outcomes associated with prescribed opioid use. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has received full ethical approval from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Ethics Committee, the NSW Population and Health Services Research Committee and the ACT Health Human Research Ethics Committee. This will be the largest postmarketing surveillance study of prescribed opioids undertaken in Australia, linking exposure and outcomes and examining risk factors for adverse outcomes of prescribed opioids. As such, this work has important translational promise, with direct relevance to regulatory authorities and agencies worldwide. Project findings will be disseminated at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. We will also conduct targeted dissemination with policy makers, professional bodies and peak bodies in the pain, medicine and addiction fields through stakeholder workshops and advisory groups. Results will be reported in accordance with the REporting of studies Conducted using Observational Routinely collected Data (RECORD) Statement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Timothy Dobbins
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David C Currow
- IMPACCT, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona Blyth
- Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard P Mattick
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Islam MM, Wollersheim D. Variation in Prescription Opioid Dispensing across Neighborhoods of Diverse Socioeconomic Disadvantages in Victoria, Australia. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11040116. [PMID: 30388736 PMCID: PMC6315505 DOI: 10.3390/ph11040116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The study examined the relationship between dispensing patterns of prescription opioids, neighborhood-disadvantage-index, and standardized doses dispensed. Three-year’s dispensing data drawn from 80 local government areas (LGAs) within Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state, was analyzed. Quantities dispensed in defined daily dose (DDD)/1000-people/day were computed for LGAs of low, moderate, high, and very high socio-economic disadvantage. LGAs with various levels of dispensing, and neighborhood disadvantage were identified and mapped. A multivariable regression model examined the effect of neighborhood level disadvantage and identified other factors that are associated with standardized doses dispensed. More women were dispensed opioids than men. Dispensing increased with increasing age. Most of the LGAs with relatively high dispensing were socioeconomically disadvantaged and located outside the major cities. Dispensing gradually increased from low disadvantage to very high disadvantage areas. Dispensing of standardized doses were consistently higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Neighborhood level disadvantage, age, sex, and urbanization were significant factors in the standardized doses dispensed. As inappropriate dispensing of opioids is a major public health problem, research should facilitate understanding of utilization in small areas to enable tailored public health programs. Nationwide and consistent introduction of real-time prescription drug-monitoring programs, and structural interventions to reduce the fundamental causes of socioeconomic disadvantage and isolation are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mofizul Islam
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia.
| | - Dennis Wollersheim
- Health Information Management, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia.
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Nielsen S, Lintzeris N, Murnion B, Degenhardt L, Bruno R, Haber P, Johnson J, Hardy M, Ling S, Saddler C, Dunlop A, Demirkol A, Silsbury C, Phung N, Houseman J, Larance B. Understanding an emerging treatment population: Protocol for and baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort of people receiving treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018; 37:887-896. [PMID: 30280448 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Despite large increases in pharmaceutical opioid dependence and related mortality, few studies have focused on the characteristics and treatment experiences of those with pharmaceutical opioid dependence. We describe the formation of a prospective cohort of people receiving treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence and describe their baseline characteristics. DESIGN AND METHODS People who had entered treatment for pharmaceutical opioid dependence (n = 108) were recruited through drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. We describe baseline characteristics of those that commenced pharmaceutical opioids for pain or other reasons and conducted a thematic analysis of responses regarding their treatment experience. RESULTS Mean age was 41 years (SD 11), half were male (48%). Just over half reported lifetime heroin use (57%). Oxycodone (49%) and codeine (29%) were the most common opioids reported. Most (85%) reported past-year problematic pain, 38% reported chronic pain. Half (52%) reported moderate to severe depression symptoms. Most (66%) commenced opioids for pain, and this group were older, less likely to report a previous overdose and less likely to report use of illicit drugs compared to those commencing for other reasons. Five themes related to treatment expectations: (i) stigma; (ii) the restrictive nature of treatment; (iii) knowledge; (iv) pain; and (v) positive experience with buprenorphine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study describes the complexities in an important emerging treatment population of pharmaceutical opioid-dependent people. Findings highlights that addressing knowledge and perceptions around treatment may be critical to address the rising mortality associated with pharmaceutical opioid dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,South East Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Services, Sydney, Australia.,Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- South East Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Services, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bridin Murnion
- Discipline of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raimondo Bruno
- School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Paul Haber
- Discipline of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennifer Johnson
- University Centre for Rural Health - North Coast, University of Sydney, Lismore, Australia
| | - Mark Hardy
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen Ling
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Craig Saddler
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.,Cavalry Mater Hospital, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Apo Demirkol
- South East Sydney Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Services, Sydney, Australia
| | - Catherine Silsbury
- Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District Sydney, Australia
| | - Nghi Phung
- Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District Sydney, Australia
| | - Jennie Houseman
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Todd A, Akhter N, Cairns JM, Kasim A, Walton N, Ellison A, Chazot P, Eldabe S, Bambra C. The Pain Divide: a cross-sectional analysis of chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation in England. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e023391. [PMID: 30206064 PMCID: PMC6144392 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our central research question was, in England, are geographical inequalities in opioid use driven by health need (pain)? To answer this question, our study examined: (1) if there are regional inequalities in rates of chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation in England; (2) if opioid use and chronic pain are associated after adjusting for individual-level and area-level confounders. DESIGN Cross-sectional study design using data from the Health Survey for England 2011. SETTING England. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation. PARTICIPANTS Participant data relating to chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid usage data were obtained at local authority level from the Health Survey for England 2011; in total, 5711 respondents were included in our analysis. METHODS Regional and local authority data were mapped, and a generalised linear model was then used to explore the relationships between the data. The model was adjusted to account for area-level and individual-level variables. RESULTS There were geographical variations in chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation across the English regions-with evidence of a 'pain divide' between the North and the South, whereby people in the North of England more likely to have 'severely limiting' or 'moderately limiting' chronic pain. The intensity of chronic pain was significantly and positively associated with the use of opioid analgesics. CONCLUSIONS There are geographical differences in chronic pain prevalence, pain intensity and opioid utilisation across England-with evidence of a 'pain divide'. Given the public health concerns associated with the long-term use of opioid analgesics-and their questionable activity in the management of chronic pain-more guidance is needed to support prescribers in the management of chronic pain, so the initiation of opioids can be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Todd
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nasima Akhter
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Joanne-Marie Cairns
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- School of Public Health Midwifery and Social Work, Canterbury Christchurch University, Canterbury, Durham, UK
| | - Adetayo Kasim
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Nick Walton
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Amanda Ellison
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Paul Chazot
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Sam Eldabe
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Pain and Anaesthesia, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Clare Bambra
- Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Fuse – the UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Holliday S, Hayes C, Dunlop A, Morgan S, Tapley A, Henderson K, Larance B, Magin P. Protecting Pain Patients. The Evaluation of a Chronic Pain Educational Intervention. PAIN MEDICINE 2018; 18:2306-2315. [PMID: 28340143 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Advocacy and commercially funded education successfully reduced barriers to the provision of long-term opioid analgesia. The subsequent escalation of opioid prescribing for chronic noncancer pain has seen increasing harms without improved pain outcomes. Methods This was a one-group pretest-posttest design study. A multidisciplinary team developed a chronic pain educational package for general practitioner trainees emphasizing limitations, risk-mitigation, and deprescribing of opioids with transition to active self-care. This educational intervention incorporated prereadings, a resource kit, and a 90-minute interactional video case-based workshop incorporated into an education day. Evaluation was via pre- and postintervention (two months) questionnaires. Differences in management of two clinical vignettes were tested using McNemar's test. Results Of 58 eligible trainees, 47 (response rate = 81.0%) completed both questionnaires (36 of whom attended the workshop). In a primary analysis including these 47 trainees, therapeutic intentions of tapering opioid maintenance for pain (in a paper-based clinical vignette) increased from 37 (80.4%) pre-intervention to 44 (95.7%) postintervention (P = 0.039). In a sensitivity analysis including only trainees attending the workshop, 80.0% pre-intervention and 97.1% postintervention tapered opioids (P = 0.070). Anticipated initiation of any opioids for a chronic osteoarthritic knee pain clinical vignette reduced from 35 (74.5%) to 24 (51.1%; P = 0.012) in the primary analysis and from 80.0% to 41.7% in the sensitivity analysis (P = 0.001). Conclusions Necessary improvements in pain management and opioid harm avoidance are predicated on primary care education being of demonstrable efficacy. This brief educational intervention improved hypothetical management approaches two months subsequently. Further research measuring objective changes in physician behavior, especially opioid prescribing, is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Holliday
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chris Hayes
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Integrated Pain Service, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian Dunlop
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon Morgan
- General Practice Training Valley to Coast, Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda Tapley
- General Practice Training Valley to Coast, Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kim Henderson
- General Practice Training Valley to Coast, Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Parker Magin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,General Practice Training Valley to Coast, Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia
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Prescription opioid dispensing in New South Wales, Australia: spatial and temporal variation. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2018; 19:30. [PMID: 29914572 PMCID: PMC6006696 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-018-0219-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patterns of opioid dispensing often exhibit substantial temporal and geographical variability, which has implications for public health policy decisions and interventions. The study examined recent trends in prescription opioid dispensing and identified high dispensing areas and factors associated with the doses dispensed. Methods Three years (1 January 2013–31 December 2015) of dispensing data of prescription opioids in local government areas (LGAs) for New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populous state, were analyzed. The proportion of individuals who were dispensed opioids was computed for four age-groups. A Chi-square test was used to examine trends over time in proportions of the population who were dispensed opioids in four age-groups. The number of prescriptions over time and quantities in daily defined dose/1000 people/day (denoted DDD) were also examined. LGAs with relatively high levels of dispensing were identified and mapped. A multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with DDD. Results Overall, codeine, oxycodone and tramadol were the main opioids in terms of DDD, number of prescriptions and number of individuals who were dispensed these medications. Quantity (in DDD), and population dispensed to were consistently higher for women than men over time. Proportions of individuals who were dispensed opioids increased significantly over time in all four age-groups. In the multivariate model, age, urbanization, sex and socio-economic indexes for areas were significantly associated with doses dispensed among opioid users. All areas with very high dispensing were outside major metropolitan areas. Conclusions Given that over-use of opioids is a major public health problem and that long-term use has substantial side effects including dependence, it is important to understand spatial patterns of opioid prescribing to enable targeted interventions. Nationwide implementation of real-time drug-monitoring programs and access to monitoring databases from both doctor and pharmacy point-of-care sources may potentially reduce excessive and undue use of opioid.
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Holliday S, Hayes C, Jones L, Gordon J, Harris N, Nicholas M. Prescribing wellness: comprehensive pain management outside specialist services. Aust Prescr 2018; 41:86-91. [PMID: 29922004 PMCID: PMC6003009 DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2018.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Hayes
- Hunter Integrated Pain Service, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW
| | - Lester Jones
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne
| | | | - Newman Harris
- Pain Education Unit, Pain Management Research Institute, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney
| | - Michael Nicholas
- Pain Education Unit, Pain Management Research Institute, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney
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Ackerman IN, Zomer E, Gilmartin-Thomas JFM, Liew D. Forecasting the future burden of opioids for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2018; 26:350-355. [PMID: 29129650 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify the current national burden of opioids for osteoarthritis (OA) pain in Australia in terms of number of dispensed opioid prescriptions and associated costs, and to forecast the likely burden to the year 2030/31. DESIGN Epidemiological modelling. METHODS Published data were obtained on rates of opioid prescribing for people with OA and national OA prevalence projections. Trends in opioid dispensing from 2006 to 2016, and average costs for common opioid subtypes were obtained from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare Australia Statistics. Using these inputs, a model was developed to estimate the likely number of dispensed opioid prescriptions and costs to the public healthcare system by 2030/31. RESULTS In 2015/16, an estimated 1.1 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed in Australia for 403,954 people with OA (of a total 2.2 million Australians with OA). Based on recent dispensing trends and OA prevalence projections, the number of dispensed opioid prescriptions is expected to nearly triple to 3,032,332 by 2030/31, for an estimated 562,610 people with OA. The estimated cost to the Australian healthcare system was $AUD25.2 million in 2015/16, rising to $AUD72.4 million by 2030/31. CONCLUSION OA-related opioid dispensing and associated costs are set to increase substantially in Australia from 2015/16 to 2030/31. Use of opioids for OA pain is concerning given joint disease chronicity and the risk of adverse events, particularly among older people. These projections represent a conservative estimate of the full financial burden given additional costs associated with opioid-related harms and out-of-pocket costs borne by patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- I N Ackerman
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - E Zomer
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J F-M Gilmartin-Thomas
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Research Department of Practice and Policy, University College London School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | - D Liew
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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A nationwide study of the extent and factors associated with fentanyl use in Australia. Res Social Adm Pharm 2018; 14:303-308. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Roberts
- Alcohol and Drug Services, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Drug and Alcohol Service, South Eastern Sydney, Local Health District, Sydney
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