OptumRx, a pharmacy care services company, said its Opioid Risk Management program has reduced opioid consumption and prescribing since its launch July 1, according to initial results released Tuesday.
The program aims to reduce inappropriate opioid use and improve prescribers' alignment with CDC guidelines by identifying intervention points in prescribing, dispensing and consuming processes. The program, which has garnered more than 400 clients since its launch, plans to roll out nationwide.
Here are four improvements OptumRx attributes to the program.
1. There was a 14 percent reduction in average doses across all opioid prescriptions.
2. There was a 68 percent decline in prescriptions for current chronic opioid users issued above 90mg.
3. The trial period saw a 65 percent decrease in prescriptions for first-fill acute opioid treatment written above the maximum seven-day supply.
4. There was an 82 percent decrease in prescriptions above CDC recommended dose of 50mg morphine for the first fill.
"OptumRx's program is showing early but meaningful potential to begin curbing the opioid epidemic in America," said Sumit Dutta, MD, CMO of OptumRx. "We expect these improvements to continue as the program gains momentum and we implement with more clients."