Maggie's Toronto Sex Workers Action Project’s Post

Opioid-related mortality is a complex and multifaceted public health issue that has evolved and worsened over several decades. Our latest study sheds light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related deaths among young Ontarians aged 15-24. Using ICES data, we observed a significant rise in fatalities, from 115 to 169 in the year following the onset of the pandemic, representing a more than 50% increase compared to the previous year. Almost 90% of deaths among adolescents and young adults during the pandemic involved non-pharmaceutical opioids with no pharmaceutical opioid involvement. Additionally, one in four individuals who died of opioid overdose had a healthcare encounter in the week prior to their death. This suggests missed opportunities to connect high-risk young people with supports such as treatment services. https://lnkd.in/gGJcinhh

Release Update: The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario shared data on drug toxicity deaths from January 2018 to Q3 2023. Some really interesting data. There was a 9% drop from 2021, showing progress, but rates are still 64% higher than in 2019, indicating a continuing challenge. In Q3 2023, individuals aged 30-59 were most impacted, accounting for 72% of deaths, highlighting the need for targeted support for the working-age population. Males made up 3 out of every 4 deaths since the pandemic began, underscoring the need for gender-specific strategies. The majority of deaths occurred in private residences, emphasizing the need for better support at home. Interestingly, in Q3 2023, bystanders were present in 1 out of 10 fatalities. When present, naloxone was administered in 60% of cases throughout 2023 (to date). Naloxone was used in 1 out of every 4 opioid-related deaths in 2023, regardless of bystander presence, stressing the importance of bystander intervention. Challenges in Analysis: Analyzing naloxone use trends in fatalities is complex due to varied timing of administration. These trends highlight potential use rather than naloxone's effectiveness, which should also consider non-fatal outcomes. Conclusion: This analysis points to the ongoing struggle against the drug poisoning crisis, the critical role of bystander action, and the necessity for increased naloxone accessibility as key areas for continued efforts in this public health emergency. Full report attached.

CDC recently released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) comparing administration of 8-milligram and 4-milligram intranasal Naloxone. Findings from this MMWR are highlighted below: In 2021, the FDA approved an 8-mg intranasal naloxone formulation for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. In response to concerns of potential risks of higher-dose naloxone, including severe withdrawal symptoms, a field test was conducted in 2022 by NYSDOH in partnership with New York State Police comparing the use of 8-mg and 4-mg intranasal naloxone by law enforcement personnel. The study aimed to evaluate survival rates, doses administered, post-naloxone adverse events, and hospital transport refusal. ▶ Despite the increased concentration of naloxone in the 8-mg formulation, the study found 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. ▶ However, recipients of the 8-mg product were 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬  compared to those receiving the 4-mg. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, sweating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Findings suggest that higher-dose naloxone administration by law enforcement may not offer additional benefits in terms of survival or dosage requirement, while potentially increasing the prevalence of adverse effects like withdrawal symptoms. This underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches in public health interventions and calls for further research to inform the use of higher-dose naloxone. 

💊 Opioid use related to #workerscompensation #claims decreased nearly 10% in 2023, marking one of the largest drops the #workerscomp industry has seen in years, according to a new report. The report also shows a drop in utilization per claim among all but one of the top 10 therapeutic classes (based on cost): migraine medications, which jumped 17%. https://lnkd.in/dBzThsuW #AICC #NARFA #claimsmanagement #drugs #prescriptiondrugs #reporting #medication #medicine #medical #healthcare #health #epidemic #painmanagement #riskmanagement #pharmacy

This is an interesting survey by KFF, with some food for thought and forward-looking considerations, as stated in the last sentence of this article, on how this increasing demand WILL INDEED put a strain on the already challenged federal Medicare program. 🗓 Survey conducted between 23 April and 1 May 🧑 n= 1479 US adults 1️⃣ in 8️⃣ have taken an anti-obesity med; for those with diabetes, it is 4️⃣ in 10 ✅ 61% say Medicare should cover GLP-1 agonists to treat obesity, even if it means an increase in premiums Though the majority are using these drugs for diabetes and other CVM benefits, there is still a fair percentage (38% in this study) utilizing them 'just for weight loss'. #GLP1 #antiobesity #Pharma #Healthcare

🚨 Naloxone saves lives — but are we using it enough? 🚨 Published this week in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a new U.S.-based study, "Trends in Naloxone Co-prescriptions" (Dumbuya, Barnett, & Ip, 2024), highlights critical insights into naloxone co-prescription rates in Iowa from 2019 to 2022. 📊 Key findings from the U.S.: Naloxone co-prescriptions have increased year-over-year, especially for high-risk groups (e.g., those on high opioid doses or concurrent benzodiazepine use). However, significant disparities remain — older patients and those in rural areas are still less likely to receive naloxone. While this research focuses on the United States, the lessons are highly relevant here in the UK. The recent changes to the UK’s Human Medicines Regulations now allow more organisations to supply naloxone, making it easier to get this life-saving medication into the right hands. At Meecham Consulting, we’re ready to help organisations take full advantage of these new regulations by: ✅ Providing training on naloxone distribution and harm reduction strategies ✅ Offering guidance on implementing effective naloxone policies ✅ Supporting efforts to reduce disparities in naloxone access 🔗 Read the full U.S. study here: https://lnkd.in/e_-TFG4m Together, we can reduce overdose deaths and ensure naloxone reaches those who need it most. 💙 #Naloxone #HarmReduction #OpioidCrisis #SaferLives #OverdosePrevention #PolicyChange #MeechamConsulting

Advantages of the combined #ivermectin and albendazole approach 🌍💊   This innovative combination not only enhances treatment effectiveness but also simplifies mass drug administration efforts worldwide. Explore more about this groundbreaking approach in our latest blog, where we explore its impact on global health initiatives. https://lnkd.in/eN6WPvHa    #GlobalHealth #NTDs

Looking to understand more about how to build a sustainable health plan as chronic illnesses drive up prescription drug costs? Our unique data from the 2024 GreenShield Drug Trends Report reveals: How demand for growing obesity and mental health treatments are driving a need for new innovative solutions Why taking a holistic approach to coverage and care is the key to driving better health outcomes How the GreenShield Essential Medicines program is ensuring more Canadians don’t have to go without the medications they need Read the full story in Benefits Canada today: LINK https://lnkd.in/gRTNWxgP #BetterHealthForAll

Opioids have been the cause of nearly 727 thousand overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, the number of deaths in 2022 was 10 times what it was in the late 90s. This September, however, NPR reported that for the first time in decades, public health data is showing an unprecedented drop in drug overdose deaths across the United States of over 10% — and around 8% here in Minnesota. On this episode of Saint Mary's Currents, Jon Roesler, assistant professor and program director of Public Health programs at Saint Mary's, discusses what happens when drugs that are designed to heal contribute to a crisis, how prescription opioids changed the drug landscape in the past 30 years, and what's different now. #OpioidCrisis #EndTheEpidemic #OpioidAwareness

Medicaid spending on GLP-1 drugs has skyrocketed since 2019, with prescriptions up 400% and gross spending up more than 500% as of 2023, a new study from KFF found. Currently, 13 states offer Medicaid coverage for GLP-1s used for obesity treatment, but many more are considering adding coverage. The states are trying to determine whether the short-term cost pressures of covering the drugs are worth the potential long-term cost savings associated with lowering the rates of obesity-related diseases, like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, according to the study. Read more: #health #healthcare #GLP1