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Cebron Lipovec N. Opioid analgesics prescribing trends 2010-2019 in Slovenia: National database study. Hum Psychopharmacol 2024; 39:e2891. [PMID: 38214662 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Significant increases in global opioid use have been reported in recent decades. This study analyzed opioid utilization in outpatient care in Slovenia between 2010 and 2019. METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study performed a nationwide database analysis of all outpatient opioid analgesic prescriptions based on Slovenian health insurance claims data. Prevalence was defined as the number of recipients prescribed at least one opioid per 1000 inhabitants. Opioid consumption was presented as the total number of dispensed prescriptions per 1000 inhabitants and dispensed defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants for each year analyzed. RESULTS The age-standardized prevalence of opioid recipients decreased by 21.5% during the study period. Total opioid consumption decreased both in the number of prescriptions (-9.2%) and DDD (-5.4%). Tramadol consumption decreased in terms of the number of prescriptions (-12.2%) and DDD (-2.7%), whereas prescriptions for strong opioids increased (10.2%) and DDDs decreased (-16.2%). The results suggest less intensive prescribing of strong opioids and more intensive prescribing for tramadol. The most frequently used strong opioids were fentanyl and oxycodone/naloxone. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of opioid recipients and opioid consumption is decreasing in Slovenia. Further research is needed to understand whether this finding reflects safe use or underuse of these important analgesics.
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Durand L, Keenan E, O'Reilly D, Bennett K, O'Hara A, Cousins G. Prescription drugs with potential for misuse in Irish prisons: analysis of national prison prescribing trends, by gender and history of opioid use disorder, 2012 to 2020. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:725. [PMID: 37803285 PMCID: PMC10559424 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacotherapy is essential for the delivery of an equivalent standard of care in prison. Prescribing can be challenging due to the complex health needs of prisoners and the risk of misuse of prescription drugs. This study examines prescribing trends for drugs with potential for misuse (opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, and gabapentinoids) in Irish prisons and whether trends vary by gender and history of opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS A repeated cross-sectional study between 2012 and 2020 using electronic prescribing records from the Irish Prison Services, covering all prisons in the Republic of Ireland was carried out. Prescribing rates per 1,000 prison population were calculated. Negative binomial (presenting adjusted rate ratios (ARR) per year and 95% confidence intervals) and joinpoint regressions were used to estimate time trends adjusting for gender, and for gender specific analyses of prescribing trends over time by history of OUD. RESULTS A total of 10,371 individuals were prescribed opioid agonist treatment (OAT), opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs or gabapentinoids during study period. History of OUD was higher in women, with a median rate of 597 per 1,000 female prisoners, compared to 161 per 1,000 male prisoners. Prescribing time trends, adjusted for gender, showed prescribing rates decreased over time for prescription opioids (ARR 0.82, 95% CI 0.80-0.85), benzodiazepines (ARR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.999), Z-drugs (ARR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88-0.92), but increased for gabapentinoids (ARR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.08). However, prescribing rates declined for each drug class between 2019 and 2020. Women were significantly more likely to be prescribed benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and gabapentinoids relative to men. Gender-specific analyses found that men with OUD, relative to men without, were more likely to be prescribed benzodiazepines (ARR 1.49, 95% CI 1.41-1.58), Z-drugs (ARR 10.09, 95% CI 9.0-11.31), gabapentinoids (ARR 2.81, 95% CI 2.66-2.97). For women, history of OUD was associated with reduced gabapentinoid prescribing (ARR 0.33, 95% CI 0.28-0.39). CONCLUSIONS While the observed reductions in prescription opioid, benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescribing is consistent with guidance for safe prescribing in prisons, the increase in gabapentinoid (primarily pregabalin) prescribing and the high level of prescribing to women is concerning. Our findings suggest targeted interventions may be needed to address prescribing in women, and men with a history of OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Durand
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Eamon Keenan
- National Social Inclusion Office, Health Service Executive, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland
| | - Deirdre O'Reilly
- Irish Prison Service, IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Andy O'Hara
- UISCE, National Advocacy Service for People who use Drugs in Ireland, 8 Cabra road, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Gráinne Cousins
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Cousins G, Durand L, O'Kane A, Tierney J, Maguire R, Stokes S, O'Reilly D, Arensman E, Bennett KE, Vázquez MO, Corcoran P, Lyons S, Kavanagh Y, Keenan E. Prescription drugs with potential for misuse: protocol for a multi-indicator analysis of supply, detection and the associated health burden in Ireland between 2010 and 2020. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069665. [PMID: 36863742 PMCID: PMC9990618 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an increasing concern about the misuse of prescription drugs. Misuse refers to the intentional repurposing of prescribed drugs and/or the use of illicitly sourced prescription drugs, which may be counterfeit or contaminated. Drugs with the greatest potential for misuse are prescription opioids, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and stimulants. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the supply, patterns of use and health burden associated with prescription drugs with potential for misuse (PDPM) in Ireland between 2010 and 2020. Three inter-related studies will be carried out. The first study will describe trends in supply of PDPM using law enforcement drug seizures data and national prescription records from national community and prison settings. The second study aims to estimate trends in the detection of PDPM across multiple early warning systems using national forensic toxicology data. The third study aims to quantify the health burden associated with PDPM nationally, using epidemiological indicators of drug-poisoning deaths, non-fatal intentional drug overdose presentations to hospitals and drug treatment demand. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A retrospective observational study design, with repeated cross-sectional analyses, using negative binomial regression models or, where appropriate, joinpoint regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has received approval from the RCSI Ethics Committee (REC202202020). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, scientific and drug policy meetings and with key stakeholders via research briefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gráinne Cousins
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Louise Durand
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife O'Kane
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julie Tierney
- Forensic Toxicology, The State Laboratory, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Richard Maguire
- Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Health Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Siobhán Stokes
- National Drug Treatment Centre, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Ella Arensman
- National Suicide Research Foundation, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kathleen E Bennett
- Data Science Centre, Population Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - María Otero Vázquez
- UISCE, National Advocacy Service for People who use Drugs in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul Corcoran
- National Suicide Research Foundation, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Suzi Lyons
- National Health Information Systems, Health Research Board, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yvonne Kavanagh
- Drug and Toxicology, Forensic Science Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamon Keenan
- National Social Inclusion Office, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
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Byrne P. Premature mortality of people with severe mental illness: a renewed focus for a new era. Ir J Psychol Med 2023; 40:74-83. [PMID: 35357297 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2022.3] [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: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This perspective article applies public health principles to improve the physical health of selected populations with mental disorders. Two preventable adverse outcomes, poorer physical health and premature mortality, are described across mental disorders. Evidence of the lifetime effects of adverse childhood experiences and inequalities is presented: these are the 'causes of the causes'. Seven drivers of physical disorders are illustrated that drive preventable deaths and as doctors, psychiatrists must lead from the front to reverse rising mortality. Evidence supports universal and selective interventions and even the most difficult challenges such as weight gain and opioid misuse are an opportunity for psychiatry to engage with individual patients and their organisations, public health colleagues, health systems and beyond. Interventions complement and do not replace existing clinical practices that reduce self-harm and prevent suicide. Mental health teams already do most of the work in this arena, and the case is made to refocus on physical health with task sharing. The top 10 recommendations within a personalised medicine framework are listed in this paper as a starting point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byrne
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
- Public Mental Health Implementation Centre, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK
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A nationwide study on consumption of opioid analgesics in Iran from 2000 to 2018. Int J Clin Pharm 2022; 45:397-405. [PMID: 36469216 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-022-01518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid analgesics play a unique role in pain management. National opioid consumption studies could provide indirect evidence of pain management in a country. National, regional, and global opioid consumption have been studied in other countries so far; however, conducting a focused study to illuminate the consumption of opioid analgesics over the past decades in Iran seemed necessary. AIM The main objective of this study was to determine the consumption of opioid analgesics and explore the trend of their use during 19 years in Iran. METHOD Iran pharmaceutical wholesale data were used to extract the annual consumption figures of the opioid analgesics in group N02A of the World Health Organization (WHO) Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification and were available in Iran (morphine, fentanyl, pethidine, and oxycodone as strong opioids and, tramadol and pentazocine as weak opioids), from 2000 to 2018. Using Defined Daily Dose (DDD) by WHO and Oral Morphine Equivalent (OMEQ), the amount of annual consumption was determined in DDD/1000 inhabitants/Day (DID) and OMEQ (mg)/1000 inhabitants/Day (OID). RESULTS Total opioid analgesic utilization based on DID and OID increased 31.12-fold (from 0.0196 to 0.61) and 21.06-fold (from 1.97 to 41.5 mg) over 19 years, respectively with a significant sharp increase from 2003 to 2006 (ß = 1.78 (DID), P value < 0.001). Medications that constituted 70% of annual opioid analgesics utilization were morphine in 2000, compared to tramadol in 2018. The annual weak and strong opioids share were 86.7% and 13.2% in 2018, respectively. CONCLUSION Despite considerable growth in the consumption of opioid analgesics in Iran over nearly two decades, the consumption amount remained low, which might signal sub-optimal pain management. On the other hand, misuse and abuse seem to be the main reason behind significant increases in the consumption of opioid analgesics with less controlled distribution.
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Engi Z, Benkő R, Soós G, Szok D, Csenki M, Csüllög E, Balog A, Csupor D, Viola R, Doró P, Matuz M. Trends in Opioid Utilisation in Hungary, 2006-2020: A Nationwide Retrospective Study with Multiple Metrics. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1896-1909. [PMID: 35848717 PMCID: PMC9541344 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use is well-documented in several countries: some countries struggle with overuse while others have almost no access to opioids. For Europe, limited data are available. This study analysed Hungarian opioid utilisation in ambulatory care between 2006 and 2020. METHODS We obtained national drug utilization data on reimbursed opioid analgesics (ATC code: N02A) from a national health insurance database for a 15-year period. We investigated utilisation trends, using three volume-based metrics (defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), oral morphine equivalent per 1000 inhabitants per day, packages dispensed per 1000 inhabitants per year). We stratified data based on administration routes, analgesic potency and reimbursement categories. RESULTS Total opioid utilisation increased during the study period according to all three metrics (74% in DID) and reached 5.31 DID by 2020. Upward trends were driven by an increase both in weak and strong opioid use (79% vs. 53%). The most commonly used opioids were fentanyl (in the strong category; 0.76 DID in 2020) and tramadol (in the weak category; 2.62 DID in 2020). Overall, tramadol was also the most commonly used opioid throughout the study period. Oral administration of opioid medications was dominant. Based on reimbursement categories, musculoskeletal pain was becoming a more frequent indication for opioid use (1552% increase in DID), while opioid use for cancer pain declined significantly during the study period (-33% in DID). CONCLUSIONS Our low utilisation numbers might indicate underuse of opioid analgesia, especially for cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Engi
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - R Benkő
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary.,Central Pharmacy Department, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary.,Emergency Department, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - G Soós
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - D Szok
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - M Csenki
- Department of Oncotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - E Csüllög
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, 6725, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - A Balog
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - D Csupor
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | - R Viola
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - P Doró
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - M Matuz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary.,Central Pharmacy Department, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
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Mirabella J, Ravi D, Chiew AL, Buckley NA, Chan BS. Prescribing Trend of Tapentadol in a Sydney Local Health District. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 88:3929-3935. [PMID: 35763675 PMCID: PMC9544395 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tapentadol, an opioid with mu-opioid receptor agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition, has been increasingly used in Australia since 2011. However, data on hospital prescribing trends and indications are scarce. OBJECTIVES To investigate hospital prescribing trends of tapentadol, oxycodone and tramadol in a Sydney Local Health District (LHD) and the indications for tapentadol hospital prescriptions in an Australian tertiary hospital. METHODS Firstly, we analysed 5-year patient dispensing for tapentadol, oxycodone and tramadol from four hospitals in a Sydney LHD with data expressed as oral morphine equivalents (OME). Secondly, a retrospective review of 140 and 54 patients prescribed tapentadol at a tertiary hospital's surgical and spinal units in 2020 was conducted. RESULTS Over 5 years in the Sydney LHD, there was a 19.5% reduction in total dispensing of these opioids from 1,225,210 to 986,477.5 OME milligrams. Decreases were specifically for oxycodone(-37.8% immediate-release, -65.2% sustained-release) and tramadol(-74.6% immediate-release, -70.1% sustained-release). Contrastingly, hospital prescriptions of tapentadol immediate-release increased by 223.2% between 2018-19 and 2020-21 while sustained-release increased by 17.9% from 2016-17 to 2020-21. By 2020-21, tapentadol overtook oxycodone to become the most prescribed opioid in the Sydney LHD(51.4%). At the hospital's surgical units, 137(97.9%) patients were prescribed tapentadol for acute post-operative pain with majority(54.0%) prescribed both immediate-release and sustained-release tapentadol, while 71.1% were prescribed for neuropathic pain in the spinal units. CONCLUSION In a Sydney LHD, tapentadol prescriptions increased significantly to become the preferred opioid analgesic. At the hospital's surgical units, off-label prescriptions of tapentadol sustained-release for acute post-operative pain were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Mirabella
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Deepa Ravi
- Pharmacy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Angela L Chiew
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Toxicology Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Conjoint Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Betty S Chan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Toxicology Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Gomes T, Kim KC, Suda KJ, Garg R, Tadrous M. International trends in prescription opioid sales among developed and developing economies, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional analysis of 66 countries. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2022; 31:779-787. [PMID: 35460142 PMCID: PMC9088547 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Purpose We sought to compare trends in opioid purchasing between developed and developing economies to understand patterns of opioid consumption, and how they were impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional study of retail pharmacy opioid sales from 66 jurisdictions between July 2014 and August 2020. We measured monthly population‐adjusted rate of opioid units purchased, stratified by development group and country, and used interventional time series analysis to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on rates of opioid purchasing among developed and developing economies separately. Results Rates of opioid purchasing were generally higher among developed economies, although trends differed considerably by development group. Rates of opioid purchasing declined 23.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] −34.7% to 3.6%) in the 5 years prior to the pandemic in developed economies, but rose 15.2% (95% CI 4.6%–35.6%) among developing economies. In March 2020 there was a short‐term increase in the rate of opioid purchases in both developing (10.9 units/1000 population increase; p < 0.0001) and developed (145.5 units/1000 population; p < 0.0001) economies, which was followed immediately by reduced opioid purchasing of a similar scale in April–May 2020 (−14.8 and −171.8 units/1000 population in developing and developed economies, respectively; p < 0.0001). Conclusion The COVID‐19 pandemic led to disruptions in opioid purchasing around the world; although the specific impacts varied both between and among developed and developing economies. With global variation in opioid use, there is a need to monitor these trajectories to ensure the safety of opioid use, and adequate access to pain management globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Gomes
- Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Health Policy, University of Toronto, Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Callaway Kim
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katie J Suda
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ria Garg
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mattsson M, Boland F, Kirke C, Flood M, Quinn E, Walsh M, Corrigan D, MacKenna B, Fahey T, Wallace E, Moriarty F. Evaluation of policies and practices to support safe and appropriate analgesic and sedative prescribing: The CDRx (controlled drug prescribing) protocol. Res Social Adm Pharm 2022; 18:3588-3595. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Moriarty F, Bennett K, Fahey T. Opioid and analgesic utilization in Ireland in 2000 and 2015: A repeated cross-sectional study. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 10:e00899. [PMID: 34913613 PMCID: PMC8675152 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, opioid use has increased internationally and is a major public health concern. This study aims to characterize changes in opioid and other analgesic prescribing in Ireland over a 15‐year period (2000–2015). This is a repeated cross‐sectional study of administrative pharmacy claims data in 2000 and 2015. Individuals of all ages in Ireland's Eastern Health Board region who were eligible for the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were included. This scheme covers 40% of the population, mostly those on lower incomes and older people. The primary outcome was dispensing of opioids, both prevalence of any use and rate per 1000 GMS eligible population (standardized to the 2015 population). Logistic regression was used to assess odds of opioid dispensing in 2015 versus 2000, controlling for demographic differences. The eligible study population was 364 436 in 2000 and 523 653 in 2015. In 2000, 19.4% of the eligible population had at least one opioid dispensing compared to 20.8% in 2015. The rate increased from 671 to 1098 dispensings per 1000 population. The increase was highest in the dispensing rates of codeine, tramadol, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl. Compared to 2000, there was higher odds in 2015 of being dispensed a strong opioid (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95%CI 1.97–2.04) or long‐acting formulation (3.75, 95%CI 3.58–3.92). Increased prescribing of opioids, particularly strong opioids, between 2000 and 2015 is evident in Ireland. This is concerning due to the potential for misuse, and opioid‐related morbidity/mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Moriarty
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- Data Science Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tom Fahey
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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