Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Produce a Limited Impact on Painkiller Prescribing in Medicare Part D.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To measure the impact of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) on prescribing of opioid and nonopioid painkillers.

Data source

2010-2013 physician-level Medicare Part D prescribing data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Propublica.

Study design

Using difference-in-differences models with physician-level fixed effects, the study compares prescribing in states with and without PDMPs for opioid and nonopioid analgesics, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and opioids by controlled substances Schedules II-IV.

Principal findings

Prescription drug monitoring programs were associated with a 5.2 percent decrease in days supply prescribed per physician for oxycodone in addition to smaller reductions for hydrocodone and opioids overall

SUBMITTER: Yarbrough CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5867119 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature