Mandatory review of a prescription drug monitoring program and impact on opioid and benzodiazepine dispensing

Erin L. Winstanley, Yifan Zhang, Rebecca Mashni, Sydney Schnee, Jonathan Penm, Jill Boone, Cameron McNamee, Neil J. MacKinnon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine whether Ohio House Bill 341, which mandated the use of Ohio's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), was an effective regulatory strategy to reduce opioid and benzodiazepine dispensing. Method: Secondary analysis of Ohio's PDMP data on prescription opioids and benzodiazepines dispensed from November 2014 to March 2017. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to determine if there was a significant change in the quantity of opioids and benzodiazepines dispensed. Results: After HB341 became effective in April 2015, there was a statistically significant decrease in the monthly quantity (number of pills) opioids and benzodiazepines dispensed in Ohio. There was a modest increase in the mean days’ supply of opioids and no change in the mean morphine equivalent dose. Conclusions: Legislation in Ohio requiring prescribers to check the PDMP was effective in reducing the quantity of opioids and benzodiazepines dispensed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)169-174
Number of pages6
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume188
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Benzodiazepines
  • Dispensing
  • Policy
  • Prescription opioids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mandatory review of a prescription drug monitoring program and impact on opioid and benzodiazepine dispensing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this