Journal of pharmaceutical health services research: an official journal of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
-
J Pharm Health Serv Res · Jun 2018
Opioids in Georgia Medicaid: Gender and Insurance Disparities in Utilization and Potential Inappropriate Prescribing Practices.
Medicaid populations have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic. In Georgia, opioid deaths have increased at more than twice the rate of the nation at large. It is unknown if certain populations within the Medicaid unduly receive opioid prescriptions or experience inappropriate prescribing of opioids. Thus, this study examines gender and insurance disparities in the use of opioids and the prevalence of indicators for potential inappropriate prescribing of opioids in the Georgia Medicaid population. ⋯ Results indicate statistically significant disparities among male/female patients and FFS/MC patients in the general use of opioids and in potential inappropriate prescribing of opioids. Policies aimed at curbing potential inappropriate prescribing of opioids, especially among male and FFS enrollees are needed to reduce prescription drug abuse within this population.