Achieving Reductions in Opioid Dispensing: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of State-Level Efforts to Improve Prescribing

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether any combinations of state-level public health activities were necessary or sufficient to reduce prescription opioid dispensing.

DESIGN

We examined 2016-2019 annual progress reports, 2014-2019 national opioid dispensing data (IQVIA), and interview data from states to categorize activities. We used crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to determine which program activities, individually or in combination, were necessary or sufficient for a better than average decrease in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per capita.

SETTING

Twenty-nine US state health departments.

PARTICIPANTS

State health departments implementing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Prevention for States (PfS) program.

MAIN OUTCOME

Combinations of prevention activities related to changes in the rate of prescription opioid MME per capita dispensing from 2014 to 2019.

RESULTS

Three combinations were sufficient for greater than average state-level reductions in MME per capita: (1) expanding and improving proactive reporting in combination with enhancing the uptake of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines and not moving toward a real-time Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; (2) implementing or improving prescribing interventions for insurers, health systems, or pharmacy benefit managers in combination with enhancing the uptake of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines; and (3) not implementing or improving prescribing interventions for insurers, health systems, or pharmacy benefit managers in combination with not enhancing the uptake of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines. Interview data suggested that the 3 combinations indicate how state contexts and history with addressing opioid overdose shaped programming and the ability to reduce MME per capita.

CONCLUSIONS

States successful in reducing opioid dispensing selected activities that built upon existing policies and interventions, which may indicate thoughtful use of resources. To maximize impact in addressing the opioid overdose epidemic, states and agencies may benefit from building on existing policies and interventions.

An Examination of Concurrent Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescribing in 9 States, 2015

INTRODUCTION

Concurrent prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines is discouraged by evidence-based clinical guidelines because of the known risks of taking these medications in combination.

METHODS

This study analyzed concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing in 9 states using the 2015 Prescription Behavior Surveillance System, a multistate database of de-identified prescription drug monitoring program data. Concurrent prescribing rates were examined among individuals with both an opioid and a benzodiazepine prescription. Among patients with concurrent prescribing, total days of opioid supply, daily dosage of opioids, and total days of concurrent prescriptions were examined. Analyses were stratified by whether concurrent prescribing was from a single prescriber or multiple prescribers. Opioid prescribing and concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing rates were examined by age and sex. Analyses were conducted in 2018.

RESULTS

Among 19,977,642 patients that were prescribed an opioid, 21.6% (4,324,092) were also prescribed a benzodiazepine, of which 54.9% (2,375,219) had concurrent prescriptions. More than half of patients with concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines received prescriptions from 2 or more distinct prescribers. Mean total opioid days, daily opioid dosage, and days of concurrent prescribing were higher among patients when multiple prescribers were involved compared with concurrent prescriptions from the same prescriber. Concurrent prescribing was more common among adults aged ≥50 years and female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health interventions are needed to reduce concurrent prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines. Evidence-based guidelines can help reduce concurrent prescribing when one prescriber is involved, and utilization of prescription drug monitoring programs and improved care coordination could help address concurrent prescribing when multiple prescribers are involved.