scholarly journals Prescription opioid dispensing in Canada: an update on recent developments to 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Jones ◽  
Lenka Vojtila ◽  
Paul Kurdyak ◽  
Benedikt Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Defined Daily Doses ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Strong Opioids ◽  
Dispensing Data ◽  
Illicit Opioid Use

Abstract Canada has been home to comparatively extreme developments in prescription opioid (PO) availability and related harms (e.g. morbidity, mortality) post-2000. Following persistent pan-Canadian increases in PO use, select control measures were implemented and PO dispensing levels—while only inconsistently by province—inverted, and began to plateau or decrease post-2012. We examined annual PO dispensing levels in Canada up until 2018, based on representative prescription sample data from community-based retail pharmacies. Annual prescription-based dispensing data were converted into defined daily doses/1000 population/day by province, and mainly categorized into ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ opioids. All provinces indicated decreasing trends in strong PO levels in most recent years, yet with inter-provincial differences of up to one magnitude in 2018; in about half the provinces, dispensing fell to below-2005 levels. British Columbia had the largest decline in strong PO dispensing from its peak rate (− 48.5%) in 2011. Weak opioid dispensing trends remained more inconsistent and bifurcated across Canada. The distinct effects of individual—including many provincially initiated and governed—PO control measures urgently need to be evaluated. In the meantime, recent reductions in general PO availability across Canada appear to have contributed to shortages in opioid supply for existent, sizable (including non-medical) user populations and may have contributed to recent marked increases in illicit opioid use and harms (including rising deaths).

scholarly journals Opioid use trends in Spain: the case of the island of La Gomera (2016–2019)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Oliva ◽  
Néstor Armas ◽  
Sandra Dévora ◽  
Susana Abdala
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Health Area ◽  
Defined Daily Doses ◽  
Strong Opioids ◽  
Prescription Opioid Use ◽  
La Gomera

Abstract This study is an evaluation of prescription opioid use on the island of La Gomera, a mainly rural area, during the period 2016–2019 at various levels. Data were extracted from the wholesalers who supply the community pharmacies at the population level. Prescription opioid use was measured as defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants/day (DID) and by the number of units sold per 1,000 inhabitants and year (units sold). This provided an island total of La Gomera’s overall prescription of opioids and its rate of change, as well as differences in prescribing at the municipal and health area level. Tramadol with acetaminophen and tramadol in monotherapy were the most consumed by “units sold” parameter, which accounted for 69.48% and 18.59% of the total. The situation was similar for DID, although with lower percentages, but a significant increase was observed in the use of fentanyl and buprenorphine, around 15% in each case. The balance between the uses of weak or strong opioids was different in La Gomera compared to that of Spain as a whole. In Spain, almost 70% of the prescriptions were for weak opioids compared to 58.67% in La Gomera. Fentanyl was the most used strong opioid (16.10%) followed by tapentadol and buprenorphine, around 5% each, whereas in La Gomera, buprenorphine was the most consumed (15.75%) followed by fentanyl (14.87%) and tapentadol (5.82%). These differences in prescription opioid use are most likely explained by prescriber characteristics, whereas the population age, socioeconomic status, or living in rural/urban area are not decisive determinants.

Identification of Distinct Etiologies across Prescription Misuse and Illicit Drug Use: Opioids and Stimulants Compared

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Fullerton Dash ◽  
Nicholas G. Martin ◽  
Arpana Agrawal ◽  
Michael Lynskey ◽  
Wendy S. Slutske
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Genetic Influence ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Stimulant Use ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Illicit Use ◽  
Prescription Opioid Misuse ◽  
Illicit Opioid Use

Background. Drug classes are grouped based on their chemical and pharmacological properties, but prescription and illicit drugs differ in other important ways. Opioid and stimulant classes contain prescription and illicit forms differentially associated with salient risk factors (common route of administration, legality), making them useful comparators for examining the potential differences in the etiological influences on (mis)use of prescription and illicit drugs. Methods. 2,410 individual Australian twins (Mage=31.77 [SD=2.48]; 67% women) were interviewed about prescription misuse and illicit use of opioids and stimulants. Univariate and bivariate biometric models partitioned variances and covariances into additive genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental influences across drug types. Results. Variation in the propensity to misuse prescription opioids was primarily attributable to genes (37%) and unique environment (59%). Illicit opioid use was attributable to shared (71%) and unique (29%) environment. Prescription stimulant misuse was primarily attributable to genes (78%) and unique environment (21%). Illicit stimulant use was influenced by genes (48%), and shared (29%) and unique environment (23%). There was evidence for genetic influence common to both stimulant types, but limited evidence for genetic influence common to both opioid types. Conclusions. Prescription opioid misuse may share little genetic influence with illicit opioid use. Future research may consider avoiding unitary drug classifications, particularly when examining genetic influences.

Are prescription misuse and illicit drug use etiologically distinct? A genetically-informed analysis of opioids and stimulants

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Genevieve F. Dash ◽  
Nicholas G. Martin ◽  
Arpana Agrawal ◽  
Michael T. Lynskey ◽  
Wendy S. Slutske
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Genetic Influence ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Stimulant Use ◽  
Prescription Opioid Misuse ◽  
Illicit Opioid Use

Abstract Background Drug classes are grouped based on their chemical and pharmacological properties, but prescription and illicit drugs differ in other important ways. Potential differences in genetic and environmental influences on the (mis)use of prescription and illicit drugs that are subsumed under the same class should be examined. Opioid and stimulant classes contain prescription and illicit forms differentially associated with salient risk factors (common route of administration, legality), making them useful comparators for addressing this etiological issue. Methods A total of 2410 individual Australian twins [Mage = 31.77 (s.d. = 2.48); 67% women] were interviewed about prescription misuse and illicit use of opioids and stimulants. Univariate and bivariate biometric models partitioned variances and covariances into additive genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental influences across drug types. Results Variation in the propensity to misuse prescription opioids was attributable to genes (41%) and unique environment (59%). Illicit opioid use was attributable to shared (71%) and unique (29%) environment. Prescription stimulant misuse was attributable to genes (79%) and unique environment (21%). Illicit stimulant use was attributable to genes (48%), shared environment (29%), and unique environment (23%). There was evidence for genetic influence common to both stimulant types, but limited evidence for genetic influence common to both opioid types. Bivariate correlations suggested that prescription opioid use may be more genetically similar to prescription stimulant use than to illicit opioid use. Conclusions Prescription opioid misuse may share little genetic influence with illicit opioid use. Future research may consider avoiding unitary drug classifications, particularly when examining genetic influences.

Tapentadol is the least common opioid found in admission urine drug-test results at an intensive outpatient opioid-use disorder treatment program in Ohio: A brief report

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Adam Rzetelny, PhD ◽  
Diana Meske, PhD ◽  
Parag Patel, MD, FACOG, FASAM ◽  
Steven Passik, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Program ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Drug Test ◽  
Urine Drug ◽  
Urine Drug Test ◽  
Dispensing Data

Background: Previous data suggest that tapentadol, an atypical opioid with a putative dual mechanism of action, has relatively low rates of abuse. A better understanding of the rates of abuse among different prescription opioids may help clinicians when considering their potential risks and benefits. The results of urine drug tests (UDTs) may provide a unique opportunity to help answer this question.Method: To investigate different rates of prescription-opioid abuse in this retrospective study, we examined urine drug test results from patients seeking treatment at four facilities of an opioid-use-disorder (OUD) treatment program in Ohio. Urine specimens were collected on admission, one from each patient, in the regular course of care. The opioids reviewed in the present study were tapentadol, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and tramadol. Drug dispensing data, including morphine-milligram equivalents (MME) dispensed, were examined to adjust for the relative prevalence of each opioid being examined.Results: Data from 4,162 patients were examined. Tapentadol was the least common finding in UDT results in this cohort and remained so after adjusting for drug availability. The percentage of specimens positive for a given opioid ranged from 0.12 percent (tapentadol) to 7.04 percent (oxycodone). The availability and MME adjustments resulted in a change of rank order, with tapentadol remaining the lowest but tramadol replacing oxycodone as the prescription opioid with the highest rate of abuse.Conclusions: In this sample of UDT results from patients seeking treatment at an OUD program in Ohio, tapentadol was the least frequent finding among the opioids examined, and this remained true when adjusting for dispensing data. Factors potentially contributing to this difference may include pharmacological properties unique to tapentadol. Several important limitations notwithstanding, these findings are consistent with previous real-world evidence and warrant an ongoing line of inquiry. 

scholarly journals Feasibility and Outcomes of a Community-Based Taper-to-Low- Dose-Maintenance Suboxone Treatment Program for Prescription Opioid Dependence in a Remote First Nations Community in Northern Ontario

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Mae Katt ◽  
Claudette Chase ◽  
Andriy V. Samokhvalov ◽  
Elena Argento ◽  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Opioid Dependence ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Nations People ◽  
First Nations People

<p>Objective: Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is a major health problem in North America and increasingly prevalent among First Nations people. More than 50% of many Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities in northern Ontario report NMPOU, resulting in extensive health and social problems. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is the most effective treatment for opioid dependence yet is unavailable in remote First Nations communities. Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) specifically has reasonably good treatment outcomes for prescription opioid (PO) dependence. A pilot study examining the feasibility and outcomes of a community-based Suboxone taper-to-low-dose-maintenance program for PO-dependent adults was conducted in a small NAN community as a treatment option for this particular setting.</p><p>Design: Participants (N = 22, ages 16–48 years) were gradually stabilized on and tapered off Suboxone (provided on an outpatient and directly-observed basis) over a 30-day period. Low dose maintenance was offered post-taper to patients with continued craving and relapse risk; community-based aftercare was provided to all participants. Results: Of 22 participants, 21 (95%) completed the taper phase of the program. Fifteen (88%) of 17 participants tested by urine toxicology screening had no evidence of PO use on day 30. No adverse side effects were observed. All but one of the taper completers were continued on low-dose maintenance. Conclusion: Community-based Suboxone taper-to-low-dose-maintenance is feasible and effective as an initial treatment for PO-dependence in remote First Nations populations, although abstinence is difficult to achieve and longer term maintenance may be required. More research on OST for First Nations people is needed; existing OST options, however, should be made available to First Nations communities given the acute need for treatment.</p>

scholarly journals 1045Patterns, predictors and outcomes of opioid use in Australia: evidence for an epidemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Ilomaki ◽  
Samanta Lalic ◽  
Natasa Gisev ◽  
Suzanne Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Head Of School ◽  
Pain Medications ◽  
Strong Opioids

Abstract Focus and outcomes for participants This symposium will focus on evidence from pharmacoepidemiological research on prevalence and incidence of prescription opioid prevalence, opioid utilisation patterns and related harms in Australia. The symposium will also discuss interventions to reduce opioid-related harm. The speakers will discuss how opioid use and prescribing culture has evolved over the last two decades and provide insight from recent research using big data analysis on prescription opioid use and related outcomes. Rationale for the symposium, including for its inclusion in the Congress In 2016, there were 679 overdose deaths involving opioid pain medications in Australia, with the majority of these deaths unintentional. There is growing concern that harm from opioid pain medications in Australia may mimic the situation in the United States and Canada, where the problem has been labelled an epidemic. Recent Monash led research using Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data for 2013 to 2018 found that approximately 3 million Australians adults use opioids each year and approximately 1.9 million adults start taking opioids. Of this population of adults that start using opioids, 2.6% become long-term users for over a year. Long-term use and the use of strong opioids are associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. High-dose opioid use has also been associated with falls, fractures, hospitalisations and motor vehicle injuries. The rationale of this symposium is to draw on the expertise of the presenters and share innovative epidemiological and data analysis methods to understand opioid use in the Australian context. The creation of such a forum at the World Congress will allow for enhanced knowledge sharing on both a national and international platform and assist in planning strategies to better anticipate and manage potential harms when opioid pain medications are initiated. Presentation program The Symposium consists of four presentations: Names of presenters Names of facilitator or chair Professor Danny Liew, Deputy Head of School, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Ms. Michelle Steeper, Research Officer, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Changes in opioid prescribing behaviour in Denmark, Sweden and Norway - 2006-2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
L. Jarlbaek ◽  
P. Joergensen
Keyword(s):  
Oral Morphine ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
The Public ◽  
Opioid Prescribing ◽  
Defined Daily Doses ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Prescribing Behaviour ◽  
Strong Opioids ◽  
Opioid Users ◽  
Prescription Databases

Abstract Aims A country’s use of opioids is frequently debated in the public, usually based on rough figures from prescription databases made for consumption registration purposes. However, these databases hold much more detailed information that can be processed to increase knowledge and insight into nationally opioid prescribing-behaviour. This study aims to provide a more detailed picture of opioid prescribing and its changes in Denmark, Sweden and Norway during 2006-2014. Methods Data on opioid-use (ATC; N02A) were downloaded from each country’s publically assessable prescription-databases. Consumption-data were converted from defined daily doses (DDDs) to mg oral morphine equivalents (omeqs). Changes in choice of opioid-types, use and number of users were presented using descriptive statistics and compared. Results Opioid users: During the whole period, Norway had the highest, and Denmark the lowest, number of opioid users/1000 inhabitants. In 2006, Norway, Sweden and Denmark had 98, 79, 66 users/1000 inhabitants. In 2014 the numbers were 105, 78, 75 users/1000 inhabitants, respectively. Opioid use/user: During the whole period, Norway had the lowest, and Denmark the highest use/user. In 2006, the mean use/user was 1979, 3615, 6025 mg omeq/user in Norway, Sweden and Denmark respectively. In 2014 the corresponding use was 2426,3473,6361 mg omeq/user. The preferred choices of opioid-types changed during the period for all three countries. The balance between use of weak or strong opioids showed more prominent changes for Norway and Sweden compared to Denmark. Conclusions Three nations, closely related in culture and geo graphically, showed significant differences and changes in opioid prescribing behaviour. This knowledge can easily be overlooked using the traditional way of presenting opioid consumption statistics. More detailed and clinically relevant presentation can increase the knowledge of doctors’ opioid prescribing behaviour, that can be related to changes in the society or health care system, like demography, legislation and guidelines from authorities.

scholarly journals Association between clusters of back and joint pain with opioid use in middle-aged community-based women: a prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultana Monira Hussain ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Geeske Peeters ◽  
Anita E. Wluka ◽  
Gita D. Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Opioid Prescription ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Persistent Back Pain

Abstract Background To determine the relationship between clusters of back pain and joint pain and prescription opioid dispensing. Methods Of 11,221 middle-aged participants from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health, clusters of back pain and joint pain from 2001 to 2013 were identified using group-based trajectory modelling. Prescription opioid dispensing from 2003 to 2015 was identified by linking the cohort to Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme dispensing data. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between back pain and joint pain clusters and dispensing of prescription opioids. The proportion of opioids dispensed in the population attributable to back and join pain was calculated. Results Over 12 years, 68.5 and 72.0% women reported frequent or persistent back pain and joint pain, respectively. There were three clusters (‘none or infrequent’, ‘frequent’ and ‘persistent’) for both back pain and joint pain. Those in the persistent back pain cluster had a 6.33 (95%CI 4.38-9.16) times increased risk of having > 50 opioid prescriptions and those in persistent joint pain cluster had a 6.19 (95%CI 4.18-9.16) times increased risk of having > 50 opioid prescriptions. Frequent and persistent back and joint pain clusters together explained 41.7% (95%CI 34.9-47.8%) of prescription opioid dispensing. Women in the frequent and persistent back pain and joint pain clusters were less educated and reported more depression and physical inactivity. Conclusion Back pain and joint pain are major contributors to opioid prescription dispensing in community-based middle-aged women. Additional approaches to reduce opioid use, targeted at those with frequent and persistent back pain and joint pain, will be important in order to reduce the use of opioids and their consequent harm in this population.

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