Stricter opioid prescribing laws could reduce drug use

Many states have implemented stricter opioid prescription laws in an effort to curb opioid misuse, and new research finds that one such law in Florida reduced drug use and changed prescription patterns. In July 2018, Florida enacted a law that limited non-chronic pain opioid prescriptions — for drugs such as morphine and hydrocodone — to a three-day supply, which could be extended to a week for exceptions. Looking at data from January 2015 through March 2019, researchers found that the rate of new patients prescribed opioids dropped from 5.5 per 100,000 people per month before the new law to 4.6 per 100,000 people per month after. Prescription length also fell, from 5.4 days to 4.2 days. The law was also associated with a decrease in the use of hydrocodone and other opioids with a low potential for abuse. The data came only from patients enrolled in one private insurance health plan, so the findings may not be generalizable.