Opioid use in work compensation continued to decline in 2021, but drugs that address disorders of opioid use saw an increase, according to a drug trend report released on Tuesday by Enlyte Group LLC.
Based on all 2021 retail and mail order transactions invoiced through the company’s pharmacy benefit management program, opioid use decreased by 3.1% per claim, but medications that manage opioid withdrawal symptoms increased by 7.4%.
Overall, prescription trends saw small increases in 2021: 0.2% utilization per claim; 1.3% cost per claim; 1.1% cost per prescription, according to the report.
The report also found that six of the top 10 therapeutic classes experienced increased use per claim; however, none of the classes rose by more than 1
0%. The largest increases in utilization were in the haematological and respiratory class with 9.7% and 7.7%, respectively.The use of opioid alternatives also increased: 3.3% more antidepressants and 2.3% more anticonvulsants.
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