Abstract
Prescription opioid use has historically been a regular component of the management of chronic nonmalignant pain in Canada. However, the economic implications of high rates of addiction and abuse have motivated consideration of more cost-effective management strategies for chronic pain. The economic burden imposed by prescription opioid use relates in part to lost workplace productivity, increased addiction treatment program costs, and increased overall healthcare expenditure for these patients. In this article, we present research on the economic implications of the current rates of opioid prescription, and report on the specific economic advantages realized in alternative therapeutic approaches to pain management.
Highlights
Prescription opioid use has historically been a regular component of the management of chronic nonmalignant pain in Canada
A recent report from the CDC demonstrated that the probability of an individual patient becoming addicted to opioid drugs can be predicted by the length of the original prescription: a one-day opioid prescription carried a 2.9% risk of long term addiction, with this number rising to 30% for patients given month-long prescriptions.[3]
In 2016, there were 19 million opioid prescriptions filled in Canada, with the greatest prevalence of use found in Ontario, where 2 million Ontarians (14% of the population) filled opioid prescriptions in 2016.5 economic impact of opioid-based pain management
Summary
Pain management is not a new component of practice for healthcare providers, the inappropriate prescribing of opioids has played a role in the current public health crisis of the opioid epidemic.[1] increased scrutiny of the way physicians treat pain is justified within the rapidly changing landscape of pain management in Canada.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
