Effectiveness of a Retrospective Drug Utilization Review on Potentially Unsafe Opioid and Central Nervous System Combination Therapy

A 28.1% reduction in potentially unsafe opioid and CNS combination therapy was observed after implementing a retrospective DUR program targeting high-risk opioid use. Among members remaining high risk after the DUR, the change in total unique opioids and total daily MED was nonsignificant. Members remaining at high risk after the DUR can be targeted for further interventions such as care management and member education regarding fraud, waste, and abuse. A majority of prescribers (90.5%) self-report using their states' prescription monitoring programs when prescribing controlled substances.