Policies to restrict opioid prescriptions linked to a drop in opioid‐related ED visits

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-08-05 11:12

Australia; NSW; VIC

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Two policies to monitor and restrict the prescribing of opioids, which began in mid‐2020, have been linked to a decline in the opioid‐related emergency department visits in Victoria, according to Australian research.  The researchers found that while opioid‐related ED visits dropped, there was also a sharp increase in non‐opioid drug‐related presentations, but those also dropped back to lower levels by 2022. There was no real change in rates of self‐harm and mental health‐related presentations, or in overall hospital admission rates. The researchers say their findings suggest that some opioid‐restricting policies can reduce opioid‐related harm without increasing long-term non‐opioid substance or mental health‐related harm.