Prescription drug monitoring programs and drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines and prescription opioids.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In the US, benzodiazepine overdose deaths increased at an alarming rate in the past two decades. Benzodiazepines were also the most common drugs involved in prescription opioid overdose deaths. Benzodiazepine prescribing has been monitored by Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), but little was known about whether PDMPs reduced drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines.

Design and methods

This study used a difference-in-difference design with state-quarter aggregate data on drug overdose deaths. The primary data source was Mortality Multiple Cause Files in 1999-2016. Three age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths were examined, including those involving benzodiazepines, those involving prescription opioids, and those involving both benzodi

SUBMITTER: Liang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6641857 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature