non-medical use of prescription drugs (also known as medication diversion) is a common problem in middle and low income countries where monitoring capacities and law enforcement mechanisms are not efficiently developed (1-3). prescribed central nervous system (cns) stimulants, sedative hypnotics and long-lasting opioids are the most important drugs diverted throughout the world (1-4). non-medic...

THE FACTS In 2013, more than 43,900 Americans died from drug overdose. Prescription drugs contributed to most of those deaths. Opioid pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone were involved in more than 16,000 of those deaths (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Approximately 46 Americans die every day from drug overdoses (Jones, Mack, & Paulozzi, 2013). Opi...

OBJECTIVE Prescription drug diversion, the transfer of prescription drugs from lawful to unlawful channels for distribution or use, is a problem in the United States. Despite the pervasiveness of diversion, there are gaps in the literature regarding characteristics of individuals who participate in the illicit trade of prescription drugs. This study examines a range of predictors (e.g., demogra...

The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed a continuing trend in the nonmedical use of prescription medications, notably opioid analgesics, which accounted for 75% of prescription drug non-medical use in 2006. In 2006, in response to this growing “pharmacoepidemic,” the Office of National Drug Control Policy set a goal of reducing past month prescription drug abuse by 15% ove...

OBJECTIVE Prescription-drug diversion is a topic about which comparatively little is known, and systematic information garnered from prescription-drug abusers and dealers on the specific mechanisms of diversion is extremely limited. DESIGN A pilot ultrarapid assessment was carried out in Wilmington, Delaware, during December 2006 to better understand the scope and dynamics of prescription-dru...

This article examines rates of nonmedical use and diversion of extended-release amphetamine and extended-release oral methylphenidate in the United States. Prescription dispensing data were sourced from retail pharmacies. Nonmedical use data were collected from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) System Drug Diversion Program and Poison Center Program. Dr...

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of prescription medication diversion among college students; to compare classes of medications with respect to the likelihood of diversion; to document the most common methods of diversion; and to examine the characteristics of students who diverted medications. METHOD A cross-sectional analysis of personal interview data collected between August 2006 and ...

Legislative and regulatory efforts to address controlled substance diversion and overuse of narcotics are affecting prescription drug utilization and patient care. These initiatives can influence formulary drug selection, prior authorization procedures, and drug utilization strategies.