Impact of pregabalin reclassification as a controlled substance in Egypt on gabapentinoid and opioid utilization: A repeated cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pregabalin is commonly used for treating pain but is also recognized for its misuse potential. In response to rising abuse, Egyptian health authorities reclassified pregabalin as a controlled substance in August 2019, aiming to curb misuse and regulate its distribution. This study evaluated the impact of the 2019 policy on gabapentinoid (pregabalin and gabapentin) and opioid sales in Egypt.

Methods

An interrupted time-series analysis using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models was conducted on IQVIA MIDAS® quarterly volume sales data obtained under license from IQVIA for the period 2012-2023. Copyright IQVIA. All rights reserved. Drug volume sales were standardized per 1,000 individuals based on population estimates. ARIMA modelling was used to c

SUBMITTER: Santhireswaran A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680176 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature