Unequal Prescription of Opioids in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Areas

Although overall opioid prescribing rates in Canada have decreased over the past decade, a significant disparity persists across different socioeconomic regions. A recent study reveals that individuals living in poorer communities are prescribed opioids at three times the rate of those in wealthier areas. This finding underscores ongoing inequalities in healthcare practices despite concerted efforts to reduce opioid use.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy examined prescription data from seven provinces' public drug plans between 2010 and 2018, the most recent available data. The analysis included provinces with comprehensive data—British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—covering all age groups, and Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, which provided data primarily for seniors aged 65 and older. Data from Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia was not available for this study. The team correlated prescription patterns with census data on household income and gender.

Canada remains the second-highest global consumer of opioids. In 2024, daily averages include 67 emergency room visits, 99 emergency responses, 15 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths linked to opioid-related harms, according to government reports.

Dr. Wasem Alsabbagh, a professor at Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy, pointed out that while there have been reductions in opioid prescriptions overall, inequalities still exist. His team found women in lower-income areas tend to receive more prescriptions, and among men, those with lower incomes also receive more opioids compared to their higher-income counterparts.

The study highlights that the gaps in opioid use between communities raise significant concerns about health equity. It emphasizes the critical role of pharmacists as part of primary care teams, where they can advise prescribers on appropriate dosages, support policy decisions to improve equity, and connect patients with necessary support services.

Further research aims to include private healthcare data to better understand prescribing patterns. The full study, titled "Income-Based Disparities in Opioid Prescription Dispensing Among Public Drug Plan Beneficiaries in Canada from 2010 to 2018," is published in Drugs - Real World Outcomes (2025). source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-disproportionately-opioids-poorer-areas.html