Rapid changes in illegally manufactured fentanyl products and prices in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Synthetic opioids, mostly illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF), were mentioned in 60% of United States (US) drug overdose deaths in 2020, with dramatic variation across states that mirrors variation in IMF supply. However, little is known about IMF markets in the United States and how they are changing. Researchers have previously used data from undercover cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine purchases and seizures to examine how their use and related harms respond to changes in price and availability. This analysis used US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) data to address two questions: (i) "To what extent does IMF supply vary over time and geography?" and (ii) "What has happened to the purity-adjusted price of IMF?"

Methods

We developed descriptive

SUBMITTER: Kilmer B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9543283 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature