New Monash University research has revealed a concerning rise in new opioid prescriptions among younger Victorians, while also finding an overall positive trend, with a drop in opioid prescription numbers and the number of people being prescribed opioid medications for longer periods of time.
Researchers used records from 526 GP practices across regional and metropolitan Victoria, representing almost half of that state’s residents, to analyse opioid prescribing rates between 2017 and 2022.
Two newly published peer-reviewed papers based on that data provide a comprehensive view of where the most opioids are being prescribed and give insight into the impact of recent PBS measures designed to reduce rising opioid-related harms, including overdose.
One study, published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, found a general decrease in opioid prescribing by general practitioners, but identified a 69% increase in new opioid prescription rates for Victorians aged between 15 and 24.
The research also found that while prescription rates decreased for most opioids, the number of prescriptions for tapentadol surged by 263%.
Another recent paper, published in Pain Medicine, found a decline in the number of people being prescribed opioids for extended periods of time.
The paper found most people were prescribed opioids in the short term, with the proportion still being prescribed opioids three months after their initial prescription falling from 5.4% in 2018 to 3.6% in 2022.
Researchers also compared how gender, socio-economic status and geographical region impacted opioid prescribing rates, finding disparities between male and female patients, disadvantaged patients, as well as those in regional and remote areas.
The study found that while women are getting more opioid prescriptions overall (53%), men are more likely to start new prescriptions. It also revealed that the most disadvantaged groups saw a decrease (12%) in opioid prescriptions, while the least disadvantaged saw an increase (6%).
Regional and remote areas had the highest rates of opioid prescribing and new prescription rates, although these rates decreased significantly over the study period.
Deputy Director of Monash Addiction Research Centre, Professor Suzanne Nielsen, says there is a need for targeted interventions to ensure opioids are available when clinically needed, and equitably across all groups and geographical regions, while minimising the risk of harm.
“We know some regions have access to pain management services, which can drive increased opioid use,” she says. “Although overall reductions are positive, we want to see equitable access for pain management, and access to opioids where they are clinically appropriate.”
