Here are five things to know:
1. The analysis is based on 179 reported incidents of drug tampering, fraud and theft in various healthcare settings.
2. About 32 percent of drug diversion incidents occurred in a hospital or medical center setting. About 30 percent occurred in a private practice and nearly 18 percent occurred at pharmacies.
3. Of the 179 total reported drug diversion incidents, about 18.7 million pills were lost, which equates to about $164 million redirected away from patient care.
4. About 95 percent of the drug diversion instances involved an opioid, and about 20 percent of the cases involved a form of benzodiazepine.
5. About 42 percent of drug diversion incidents involved physicians, 29 percent involved nurses and about 13 percent involved pharmacists.
Find the full report here.
More articles on opioids:
28% of opioids prescribed in outpatient settings lack physician explanation, study finds
Most young adults don’t receive timely medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, study finds
Physicians’ poor addiction training makes healthcare’s opioid battle like ‘fighting World War II with only the Coast Guard’
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
