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Estimating the proportion of prescription opioids that is consumed by people who inject drugs in A ustralia
Author(s) -
Degenhardt Louisa,
Gilmour Stuart,
Shand Fiona,
Bruno Raimondo,
Campbell Gabrielle,
Mattick Richard P.,
Larance Briony,
Hall Wayne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12066
Subject(s) - oxycodone , medicine , methadone , medical prescription , morphine , population , opioid , consumption (sociology) , anesthesia , pharmacology , environmental health , social science , receptor , sociology
and Aims. To estimate the contribution that people who inject drugs ( PWID ) make to population‐level use of prescription opioids in A ustralia. Design and Methods. Data on prescriptions of oxycodone, morphine and methadone tablets were obtained for N ew S outh W ales, V ictoria, T asmania and Q ueensland, and time series analyses used to characterise the trends from 2002 to 2010. Estimates of the number of PWID were combined with data on their levels, frequency and typical doses of morphine, methadone tablet (only prescribed in A ustralia for pain) and oxycodone from 2004 to 2010. Estimated consumption per 1000 PWID and per 1000 persons aged 20–69 years was contrasted and the proportion of total consumption accounted for by PWID estimated. Results. Morphine prescribing declined; oxycodone prescribing increased. PWID had far higher rates of prescription opioid consumption (defined daily doses per 1000) than the general population. Tasmania had highest use of prescribed opioids. PWID contribution to morphine consumption in Tasmania increased to 28% (range 22–37%) in 2010; elsewhere, PWID contribution was lower (midpoints of 2–12%, 2010). Methadone tablet use was less elevated compared with the general population. With the exception of Tasmania, PWID were estimated to consume less than 5% of oxycodone. Discussion and Conclusions. PWID use prescription opioids at high levels and can account for a significant proportion of consumption. Increased oxycodone prescribing in A ustralia has not been driven by PWID . Opioid substitution therapy and other effective treatments need to be more available and attractive to PWID . [Degenhardt L, Gilmour S, Shand F, Bruno R, Campbell G, Mattick RP, Larance B, Hall W. Estimating the proportion of prescription opioids that is consumed by people who inject drugs in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:468–474]