Publications by authors named "L Degenhardt"
Background: Recent measures to curb use and harms of pharmaceutical opioids in Australia have reduced dispensings of opioid analgesics for pain, under Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). But information on trends in private (self-funded) dispensings and public (government-funded) hospital opioids use is not readily available. Our study describes eight-year population-level trends in Australia's prescribed opioid analgesic use, estimating PBS dispensing claims, private dispensings and hospital use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The management of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is complex. Concerns about adverse effects associated with opioid pain medications and a lack of funding for holistic programs present challenges for decision-making among clinicians and patients. Discrete choice experiments (DCE) are one way of assessing and valuing patient treatment preferences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focuses on the costs associated with providing medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence using extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR) through a detailed bottom-up cost analysis.
- Conducted in Australia, the research involved 100 participants receiving monthly BUP-XR injections, revealing an average annual treatment cost of $6,656 per client, with medication costs accounting for 95% of the monthly expense.
- The findings suggest that investing in BUP-XR treatment could optimize health system resources, making this cost data valuable for evaluating its effectiveness compared to other opioid treatments.