Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative naloxone distribution strategies: First responder and lay distribution in the United States

BackgroundThe U.S. is facing an unprecedented number of opioid-related overdose deaths, and an array of other countries have experienced increases in opioid-related fatalities. In the U.S., naloxone is increasingly distributed to first responders to improve early administration to overdose victims, but its cost-effectiveness has not been studied. Lay distribution, in contrast, has been found to be cost-effective, but rising naloxone prices and increased mortality due to synthetic opioids may reduce cost-effectiveness. We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of increased naloxone distribution to (a) people likely to witness or experience overdose (“laypeople”); (b) police and firefighters; (c) emergency medical services (EMS) personnel; and (d) combinations of these groups.MethodsWe use a decision-analytic model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of eight naloxone distribution strategies. We use a lifetime horizon and conduct both a societal analysis (accounting for productivity and criminal justice system costs) and a health sector analysis. We calculate: the ranking of strategies by net monetary benefit; incremental cost-effectiveness ratios; and number of fatal overdoses.ResultsHigh distribution to all three groups maximized net monetary benefit and minimized fatal overdoses; it averted 21% of overdose deaths compared to minimum distribution. High distribution to laypeople and one of the other groups comprised the second and third best strategies. The majority of health gains resulted from increased lay distribution. In the societal analysis, every strategy was cost-saving compared to its next-best alternative; cost savings were greatest in the maximum distribution strategy. In the health sector analysis, all undominated strategies were cost-effective. Results were highly robust to deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsIncreasing naloxone distribution to laypeople and first responder groups would maximize health gains and be cost-effective. If feasible, communities should distribute naloxone to all groups; otherwise, distribution to laypeople and one of the first responder groups should be emphasized.     

Losing the uphill battle? Emergent harm reduction interventions and barriers during the opioid overdose crisis in Canada

Canada continues to experience an escalating opioid overdose crisis that has claimed more than 8000 lives in the country since 2016. The presence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its analogues is a central contributor to the increases in preventable opioid-related deaths. However, a number of converging social-structural factors (e.g., the continued criminalisation of drug use, political changes) and political barriers are also complicating and contributing to the current crisis. We briefly outline four harm reduction interventions (i.e., injectable opioid agonist treatment, naloxone distribution programs, overdose prevention sites, and drug checking services) as emerging and rapidly expanding responses to this crisis in Canada. These examples of innovation and expansion are encouraging but also occurring at the same time that the opioid overdose crisis shows few signs of abating. To truly address the crisis, Canada needs political environments at all government levels that are responsive and foster harm reduction innovation and drug policy experimentation.     

Monitoring,prevention and treatment of side effects of long-acting neuraxial opioids for post-cesarean analgesia

Long-acting neuraxial opioids such as morphine and diamorphine, administered via spinal or epidural routes, are staple components of a multimodal approach to postoperative analgesia following cesarean delivery. The widespread use of neuraxial opioids is due largely to their significant analgesic efficacy and favorable safety profile. The most common side effects of neuraxial opioids are pruritus, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms appear to be dose-related. The most serious complication of neuraxial opioids is respiratory depression, which occurs in 0–0.9% of cases. Hypothermia has also been reported in association with neuraxial morphine use at cesarean delivery. This article will review recent advances in prophylaxis, treatment and monitoring of the side effects of long-acting neuraxial opioids.     

循经按摩配合耳穴贴压治疗阿片类药物所致脾肾亏虚型便秘的疗效观察

目的 探讨循经络按摩配合耳穴贴压治疗阿片类药物所致便秘的应用效果。方法 2012年1月～2014年1月在我院肿瘤康复科接受阿片类药物镇痛治疗的肿瘤中重度癌痛便秘患者，选取90例辨证为脾肾亏虚型的患者为研究对象，采用抽签法，随机分为两组，治疗组46例、对照组44例。治疗组采用循经络按摩配合耳穴贴压治疗，对照组口服通便灵胶囊治疗。两组患者均参照中药新药治疗便秘的临床研究指导原则的疗效评价标准进行疗效评价，统计两组患者便秘治疗的有效率，并行统计学分析，观察时间为4周。结果 便秘改善总有效率治疗组为95．7％，对照组为86．4％，两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论 循经络按摩配合耳穴贴压治疗阿片类药物所致便秘，远期疗效优于口服药通便治疗。