Dynamic Changes in the Distribution of Hydrocodone and Oxycodone in Florida from 2006 to 2021

Dynamic Changes in the Distribution of Hydrocodone and Oxycodone in Florida from 2006 to 2021

Florida, which led the country in terms of its number of opioid-prescribing physicians, was unique during the height of the opioid epidemic because of its lax prescribing laws and high number of unregulated pain clinics. Here, we address differences in the distribution rates of oxycodone and hydroco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pharmacy Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 102
Main Authors: Stains, Elena Lynn, Patel, Akshay C, Solgama, Jay P, Hagedorn, Joseph D, McCall, Kenneth L, Piper, Brian J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28-06-2024
MDPI
Subjects:
ARCOS
Controlled substances
Drug dosages
Drug overdose
Drug stores
Narcotics
opioids
Pain
Patients
PDMP
Pharmacists
Physicians
pill mill
Prescription drugs
Florida
United States > US
PDMP
ARCOS
pill mill
opioids
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Summary:Florida, which led the country in terms of its number of opioid-prescribing physicians, was unique during the height of the opioid epidemic because of its lax prescribing laws and high number of unregulated pain clinics. Here, we address differences in the distribution rates of oxycodone and hydrocodone across Florida counties during the peak years of the opioid epidemic using an under-utilized database. The Washington Post and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration's Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) databases provided longitudinal oxycodone and hydrocodone distribution data in grams per county (2006-2014) and state (2006-2021). Grams of oxycodone and hydrocodone were converted into morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). There was a steep increase in oxycodone from 2006 to 2010, with a subsequent decline. In 2010, the average MME per person across Florida was 729.4, a 120.6% increase from 2006. The three counties with the highest MMEs per person in 2010 were Hillsborough (2271.3), Hernando (1915.3), and Broward (1726.9), and they were significantly ( < 0.05) elevated relative to the average county. The data demonstrated pronounced differences in opioid distribution, particularly oxycodone, between Florida counties during the height of the opioid epidemic. Legislative action taken between 2009 and 2011 aligns with the considerable decline in opioid distribution after 2010.
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These authors contributed equally to this work.
ISSN:2226-4787
2226-4787
DOI:10.3390/pharmacy12040102