Trends in opioid prescribing practices in South Korea, 2009–2019: Are we safe from an opioid epidemic?

Opioid prescribing data can guide regulation policy by informing trends and types of opioids prescribed and geographic variations. In South Korea, the nationwide data on prescribing opioids remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate an 11-year trend of opioid prescription in South Korea, both nationally and by administrative districts. A population-based cross-sectional analysis of opioid prescriptions dispensed nationwide in outpatient departments between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, was conducted for this study. Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review strong opioids, 0.6 and 15.2; extended-release and long-acting opioids, 6.8 and 82.0). The pattern of dispensing opioids increased from 2009 to 2013 and slowed down from 2013 to 2019. The rate of opioid prescriptions issued between administrative districts nearly doubled for all types of opioids. Prescription opioid dispensing increased substantially over the study period. The increase in the prescription of total opioids was largely attributed to an increase in the prescription of weak opioids. However, the increase in prescriptions of extended-release and long-acting opioids could be a future concern. These data may inform government organizations to create regulations and interventions for prescribing opioids.