View the Latest: Opioids
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Medicaid’s Most Costly Outpatient Drugs
Issue BriefUsing Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data, this brief presents the 50 most costly drugs before rebates used by the Medicaid program over the January 2014 through June 2015 period. It then examines reasons why these drugs are so costly; explores case studies on opioids, hepatitis C drugs, and the drug Abilify; and considers policy implications.
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Analysis Finds Specialty Drugs Rank High Among Medicaid’s Most Costly Outpatient Drugs
News ReleaseCostly specialty drugs, such as those used to treat Hepatitis C and HIV, are among the most costly medications in state Medicaid programs, chiefly because of their high prices for a course of treatment, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of Medicaid’s most costly outpatient drugs. Abilify, an antiphsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was the most costly drug in state Medicaid programs overall in the new analysis, which…
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Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Look at the Evolving Landscape of Federal OUD Treatment Policies
Issue BriefFederal policies governing substance use disorder treatment have undergone rapid changes during the pandemic; however, the extent to which these changes can address the surge in opioid overdose deaths is unclear. Some of these policy adjustments are permanent, while others could revert to pre-pandemic regulations. In this brief, we examine the following 5 key federal policies and implications for access and treatment for OUD.
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KFF Tracking Poll July 2023: Substance Use Crisis And Accessing Treatment
Poll FindingIn the midst of an opioid epidemic in the United States, two-thirds of adults say either they or a family member have been impacted by drug or alcohol addiction. Three in ten say they or their family were addicted to prescription or illegal opioids. This survey explores treatments received by those who battled addiction, impacts of addiction, and support for policies aimed at reducing drug overdoses.
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Will Availability of Over-the-Counter Narcan Increase Access?
Policy WatchMaking Narcan available OTC has the potential to expand access, but several obstacles may limit its reach. Decisions by pharmacies on whether to stock OTC Narcan, the product's placement within stores, and lingering stigmas can impact accessibility. Furthermore, public knowledge plays a role; many people may not realize that OTC Narcan is available without a prescription from a doctor and that insurance may help cover the costs.
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KFF’s Kaiser Health News and Hulu Host Panel Discussion, “Dopesick: The Opioid Crisis Beyond the Script”
News ReleaseHulu’s new miniseries “Dopesick” was built on journalism, and its creators hope it will spark a renewed public discussion about the nation’s opioid crisis, show executives said during a recent panel discussion hosted by KFF’s Kaiser Health News and Hulu. The event brought together the lead creative powers behind the show along with a journalist from KHN and a policy expert from KFF to unpack the making of “Dopesick” and what the show has to…