Trends in analgesia prescribing in primary care in Ireland and England between 2014 and 2022: A repeated cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Analgesic medicines are an important component of pain management, with different medicines carrying different risks and benefits. The aim of this study was to examine trends in analgesic prescribing in Ireland and England between 2014 and 2022.

Methods

Monthly data on medicines prescribed and dispensed in primary care were used. For Ireland, data comprised medicines prescribed through the means-tested General Medical Services (GMS), covering approximately 32% of the population, while for England, data consisted of medicines prescribed through all general practices. Outcomes included rates of dispensings, costs and standard doses (including oral morphine equivalents [OMEs] for opioids) per 1000 population, summarized per year for each drug class and drug.

Results

SUBMITTER: Mattsson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12648359 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature