Trends in major opioid analgesic consumption in Taiwan, 2002-2014

According to WHO guideline, the consumption of opioids is an important sign of national progress in cancer pain relief. However, precise data on the consumption of opioid analgesics consumption in Taiwan has not been published. We investigate opioid analgesic consumption in Taiwan between 2002 and 2014 compare the results with those in other countries to see what we could learn about other methods of pain management. To find out the different patterns between Taiwan and other country, improves the quality of pain management.

We extracted from the Controlled Drugs Management Information System (CDMIS) database, the consumption data of morphine, fentanyl, and pethidine, three strong opioids, and of codeine and buprenorphine, two weak ones. Data were presented as defined daily doses for statistical purposes per million inhabitants per day (S-DDD/m/d). The number of inhabitants was extracted from the Taiwan Ministry of Interior Statistics population database.

During the thirteen studied years, the total consumption of opioids markedly increased in Taiwan. By category, the consumption of morphine, fentanyl and buprenorphine increased, but the use of pethidine and codeine decreased. Compared with the selected regions and countries, the use of opioid in Taiwan progressed in Asia, but it was still lower than in Western countries.

Opioid analgesics are probable addictive; however, they can improve a patients' quality of life if properly used. The Taiwan FDA continuously introduces new opioid analgesics and educates physicians on how to use them correctly. These measures will improve the quality of pain management in Taiwan.