Differences and over‐time changes in levels of prescription opioid analgesic dispensing from retail pharmacies in Canada, 2005–2010

Abstract

Opioid use featured significant quantitative and qualitative differences between provinces in Canada and showed an overall increasing trend mainly driven by changes in "strong opioids" in the study period. Reasons for the observed differences are not clear yet require systematic examination to allow evidence-based interventions in the interest of equitable pain treatment as well as the reduction of high levels of opioid-related morbidity and mortality in Canada.