Prime Therapeutics presents results of two studies designed to reduce opioid abuse

Prime Therapeutics LLC presented the results of two studies at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) meeting this week.

Both studies evaluated strategies to identify patients at risk of prescription opioid abuse or misuse.

Prime researchers evaluated a point-of-sale alert that identified Medicare members using more than 100 milligrams of morphine equivalent dose (MED) daily for 60 days or more. The three month pilot program alerted pharmacists of members using three or more prescribers and pharmacies to obtain the medications. The Medicare plan used in the pilot has approximately 120,000 members. The pilot program resulted in 40 members being flagged. Seven were enrolled in case management and one enrolled in a treatment program.

“We found that our point-of-sale alert effectively identifies those at risk of overutilization sooner than they might be identified under current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) monitoring systems,” Prime's Principal Health Outcomes researcher Cathy Starner said.

The second study received a silver award from AMCP. It examined the "Triple Threat" of opioid, anti-anxiety/sedative and muscle relaxant medications used at the same time. Patients who use these medications concurrently are at risk of an overdose. Researchers analyzed the 2013-14 data of approximately 9.2 million commercially insured patients.

“Using Triple Threat medications together potentially puts patients at greater risk of an overdose and increases the chances of an emergency department visit, and having higher health care costs,” Prime’s Director of Health Outcomes Pat Gleason said. “This study suggests health insurers should actively monitor members using these medications concurrently and implement steps to improve member safety.”