Prescription opioid analgesic (POA) utilization has steeply increased globally, yet is far higher in established market economies than elsewhere. Canada features the world’s second-highest POA consumption rates.
Following increases in POA-related harm, several POA control interventions have been implemented since 2010.
Methods:
We examined trends and patterns in POA dispensing in Canada by province for 2005-2012, including a focus on the potential effects of interventions. Data on annual dispensing of individual POA formulations – categorized into ‘weak opioids’and ‘strong opioids’- from a representative sub-sample of 5,700 retail pharmacies across Canada (from IMS Brogan’s Compuscript) were converted into Defined Daily Doses (DDD), and examined intra- and inter-provincially as well as for Canada (total).
Results:
Total POA dispensing – driven by strong opioids – increased across Canada until 2011; four provinces indicated decreases in strong opioid dispensing; seven provinces indicated decreases specifically in oxycodone dispensing, 2011-2012.
The dispensing ratio weak/strong opioids decreased substantively. Major inter-provincial differences in POA dispensing levels and qualitative patterns of POA formulations dispensed persisted.
Previous increasing trends in POA dispensing were reversed in select provinces 2011-2012, coinciding with POA-related interventions.
Conclusions:
Further examinations regarding the sustained nature, drivers and consequences of the recent trend changes in POA dispensing – including possible ‘substitution effects’for oxycodone reductions – are needed.
Author: Benedikt FischerWayne JonesJürgen Rehm
Credits/Source: BMC Health Services Research 2014, 14:90
Published on: 2014-02-26
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News Provider: EUPB – European Press Bureau
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