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Opioid Analgesics: Overview

Page last updated: 3 July 2015

Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)

October 2014

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the utilisation of PBS listed opioid analgesics.

Background

The DUSC previously reviewed opioid use at its February 2010 meeting where it examined PBS opioid use from April 2004 to July 2009.

Date of listing on PBS

The following changes PBS opioid listings have occurred since the DUSC analysis in February 2010:

  • The PBS maximum quantity of controlled release oxycodone preparations  increased in April 2011 from 20 to 28. The maximum quantities of controlled release morphine preparations increased in May 2011. Items with a maximum quantity of 10 were increased to 14 and items with a maximum quantity of 20 were increased to 28.
  • Oxycodone with naloxone was PBS listed from 1 December 2011.
  • Tapentadol was listed on 1 June 2014.

All other opioid analgesics were PBS listed prior to June 2009.

Data Source / methodology

Pharmacy claims data from the DUSC Database was the main source of data. The Department of Human Services (DHS) Supplied Prescriptions Database was used where patient age, utilisation by age groups and patient numbers are presented. Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates were used for rates of utilisation by population. Utilisation was measured in terms of prescriptions, defined daily doses (DDDs) and DDDs per 1000 population.

Key Findings

  • 2,968,733 people received at least one PBS-listed opioid analgesic in the 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014.
  • Total use of opioids, in terms of prescriptions and DDDs/1000 population/day continues to increase.
  • Paracetamol with codeine had the highest rate of use in terms of DDDs/1000 population/day. In 2013, oxycodone became the second highest used opioid analgesic, exceeding the use of tramadol.
  • Utilisation of oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine and hydromorphone is increasing. The utilisation of morphine and tramadol appear to be decreasing.
  • Oxycodone has the highest level of utilisation when adjusted for opioid potency.

Full Report