@article{ref1,
title="Changes in misuse and abuse of prescription opioids following implementation of Extended-Release and Long-Acting Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy",
journal="Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety",
year="2017",
author="Bucher Bartelson, Becki and Le Lait, M. Claire and Green, Jody L. and Cepeda, M. Soledad and Coplan, Paul M. and Maziere, Jean-Yves and Wedin, Gregory P. and Dart, Richard C.",
volume="26",
number="9",
pages="1061-1070",
abstract="PURPOSE: An unintended consequence of extended-release (ER) and long-acting (LA) prescription opioids is that these formulations can be more attractive to abusers than immediate-release (IR) formulations. The US Food and Drug Administration recognized these risks and approved the ER/LA Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (ER/LA REMS), which has a goal of reducing opioid misuse and abuse and their associated consequences. The primary objective of this analysis is to determine whether ER/LA REMS implementation was associated with decreased reports of misuse and abuse. <br><br>METHODS: Data from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS(R)) System Poison Center Program were utilized. Poison center cases are assigned a reason for exposure, a medical outcome, and a level of health care received. Rates adjusted for population and drug utilization were analyzed over time. <br><br>RESULTS: RADARS System Poison Center Program data indicate a notable decrease in ER/LA opioid rates of intentional abuse and misuse as well as major medical outcomes or hospitalizations following implementation of the ER/LA REMS. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: While similar decreases were observed for the IR prescription opioid group, the decreasing rate for the ER/LA opioids exceeded the decreasing rates for the IR prescription opioids and was distinctly different than that for the prescription stimulants, indicating that the ER/LA REMS program may have had an additional effect on decreases in opioid abuse and intentional misuse beyond secular trends.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1053-8569",
doi="10.1002/pds.4257",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pds.4257"
}