Opioid consumption, availability, and policy alignment in primary hospice and palliative care in China: a multicomponent comparative analysis

Key Points

• The research aims to address the critical inadequacy of opioid access for cancer pain management in China's hospice care services.
• Conducted a comparative analysis of opioid availability and consumption in primary hospice and palliative care in China.
• Evaluated existing policies related to opioid prescribing and access.
• Identified gaps in current drug formularies and prescribing practices.
• Opioid access remains critically inadequate for cancer patients.
• There is a significant need for expanding drug formularies and diversifying opioid formulations.
• Strengthening prescribing capacity in primary hospice care is necessary to reduce disparities.