Prescription opioid spillovers: Retail pharmacy level analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are key state initiatives to combat opioid misuse.
• This research focuses on "must-access" PDMP mandates, requiring provider consultation before opioid prescription.
• The study also explores potential cross-border impacts on opioid sales in non-mandated neighboring states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of "must-access" PDMP mandates on retail opioid sales across the U.S.
• To identify and analyze any spillover effects of these mandates on adjacent states.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a generalized difference-in-differences analysis from 2006 to 2014.
• Employed geocoded data of all U.S. retail pharmacies for comprehensive analysis.
• Compared opioid sales trends in states with and without "must-access" PDMP policies before and after implementation.

Main Results:

• Implementation of "must-access" PDMP mandates correlated with a reduction in retail opioid sales in enacting states.
• Evidence suggests spillover effects, with neighboring states experiencing altered opioid dispensing patterns.
• PDMP mandates in one state influenced opioid sales in adjacent states.

Conclusions:

• "Must-access" PDMP mandates are effective in decreasing in-state retail opioid sales.
• Spillover effects indicate potential unintended consequences of state-level opioid policy variations.
• Cross-state policy coordination is recommended to optimize opioid use outcomes.