The complementarity of drug monitoring programs and health IT for reducing opioid‐related mortality and morbidity

In response to the opioid crisis, each US state has implemented a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to collect data on controlled substances prescribed and dispensed in the state. I study whether health information technology (HIT) complements patient prescription data in PDMPs to reduce o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health economics 2021-09, Vol.30 (9), p.2026-2046
Main Author: Wang, Lucy Xiaolu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Complementarity
Health economics
Health information
health information technology
Health insurance
Information sharing
Information technology
Inpatient care
Medical technology
Morbidity
Mortality
Narcotics
opioid crisis
Opioids
prescription drug monitoring
Prescription drugs
technology policy
Therapeutic drug monitoring
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Summary:In response to the opioid crisis, each US state has implemented a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to collect data on controlled substances prescribed and dispensed in the state. I study whether health information technology (HIT) complements patient prescription data in PDMPs to reduce opioid‐related mortality and morbidity. A novel dataset is constructed that records state policies that integrate PDMP with HIT and facilitate interstate data sharing. Using difference‐in‐differences models, I find that PDMP‐HIT integration policies reduce opioid‐related inpatient morbidity. The reductions are substantial in states that established integration without ever mandating the use of a PDMP. A mechanism test suggests that PDMP integration works mainly through the hospital system while a mandate affects legal opioids prescription. The impacts from integration are strongest for the vulnerable groups—middle‐aged, low‐to middle‐income patients, and those with public insurance. There is suggestive evidence that interstate data sharing further complements integration despite not having a significant impact independently. The results are robust to a set of tests using alternative specifications and measures. The total benefits from integration far exceed the associated costs.
ISSN:1057-9230
1099-1050
DOI:10.1002/hec.4360