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Effect of government and commercial warnings on reducing prescription misuse: The case of propoxyphene

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  • Soumerai, S.B.
  • Avorn, J.
  • Gortmaker, S.
  • Hawley, S.

Abstract

We analyzed trends in prescribing and overdose deaths related to propoxyphene (e.g., Darvon) before and after a 1978-80 informational campaign carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration and the drug's manufacturer through mailed warnings, face-to-face education of prescribers, press releases, and labeling changes. The goals included a reduction in propoxyphene use with alcohol or other CNS depressants, reduced prescribing of refills, and cessation of prescribing for patients at risk of abuse and misuse (suicide). We conducted time-series analyses of nationwide propoxyphene use data 1974-83 and analyzed data on drug overdose death rates covering a combined population of about 83 million. Segmented regression methods were used to determine if the informational program was associated with changes in trends of prescribing or overdose deaths. Comparison drug series were analyzed to control for other secular trends in prescribing. Nationwide propoxyphene use during the warnings continued a pre-existing decline of about 8 per cent per year, but this decline halted after the warnings. The no-refill recommendation had no impact on refill rates. The risk of overdose death per propoxyphene prescription filled has remained about constant since 1979. Sharper declines in misuse of such drugs will require stronger, more sustained regulatory or educational measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Soumerai, S.B. & Avorn, J. & Gortmaker, S. & Hawley, S., 1987. "Effect of government and commercial warnings on reducing prescription misuse: The case of propoxyphene," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 77(12), pages 1518-1523.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1987:77:12:1518-1523_0
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    Cited by:

    1. Meltem Daysal N. & Orsini Chiara, 2015. "Spillover Effects of Drug Safety Warnings on Preventive Health Care Use," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 15(1), pages 179-208, January.
    2. Kristy Parkinson & Joseph Price & Kosali Simon & Sharon Tennyson, 2014. "The influence of FDA advisory information and black box warnings on individual use of prescription antidepressants," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 771-790, December.
    3. Carey, Colleen & Lieber, Ethan M.J. & Miller, Sarah, 2021. "Drug firms’ payments and physicians’ prescribing behavior in Medicare Part D," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    4. Mary K. Olson & Nina Yin, 2021. "New clinical information and physician prescribing: How do pediatric labeling changes affect prescribing to children?," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 144-164, January.
    5. Collins, J. Michael & Simon, Kosali I. & Tennyson, Sharon, 2013. "Drug withdrawals and the utilization of therapeutic substitutes: The case of Vioxx," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 148-168.

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