Medication Utilization at a Provincial Remand Centre

Evaluation of medication utilization highlights health needs and facilitates rational drug use in a population. Data on medication utilization in correctional facilities are limited.

To describe the types and volumes of medications used at a provincial remand centre, by drug schedule and therapeutic classification.

In this retrospective review of medications used at the Edmonton Remand Centre over a 1-year period (September 2022 to August 2023), the data were analyzed descriptively. Data were compared by sex and age using the unpaired 2-sided t test and by medication type using the χ² test.

Of 8772 persons admitted to the remand centre during the study period, 6296 (71.8%) had medication orders. Of these, 5446 (86.5%) had orders for over-the-counter medications, 5591 (88.8%) for prescription medications, and 2513 (39.9%) for narcotics. Patients 40 years of age or younger had proportionally more orders for narcotic medications. The therapeutic classes with the highest proportions of patients were those for treating mental health problems, substance use disorder, pain, constipation, and infectious diseases.

Most patients in this corrections facility were receiving medications. Utilization trends specific to the corrections setting should be considered to support patient care.