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Hassle Costs versus Information: How Do Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Reduce Opioid Prescribing?

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  • Abby Alpert
  • Sarah Dykstra
  • Mireille Jacobson

Abstract

We study hassle costs versus information provision in explaining how prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) decrease opioid prescribing. PDMPs aim to reduce opioid prescribing through information provision but may also unintentionally affect prescribing through the hassle of required record checks. We analyze Kentucky's landmark PDMP to disentangle these two mechanisms. Hassle costs reduce opioid prescribing across the board, including to opioid-naive patients; however, physicians continue to prescribe opioids to patients who would benefit the most. Although information also affects prescribing, hassle costs explain the majority of the decline. Introducing a cost to prescribing high-risk medications improves the targeting of treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Abby Alpert & Sarah Dykstra & Mireille Jacobson, 2024. "Hassle Costs versus Information: How Do Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Reduce Opioid Prescribing?," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 16(1), pages 87-123, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:87-123
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20200579
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics

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