A study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that the Florida state law banning physicians from dispensing stronger opioids reduced the use of opioids prescribed for injured workers.
The law, which went into effect in July 2011, bans the dispensing of opioids in most circumstances, but does not restrict physician prescriptions of these medications, allowing stronger opioids to be obtained only through pharmacies.
Examining the medical care received by injured workers who were injured before and after the law change, the study found that the average Florida physician continued to dispense pain medications after the ban, but there was an increased use of less addictive medications. Physician-dispensed anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen increased from 23.8 percent to 26 percent since the ban went into effect.
The study revealed a high rate of compliance among physicians and that the overall use of stronger opioids dropped from 14.5 percent to 12.4 percent.
Debate continues concerning the higher prices charged by physician dispensers compared with pharmacies for the same medications. The study provides evidence that patients of physician dispensers are receiving more opioids than necessary, which could result in a shift in focus for the policy debate.
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