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Prescription medicine misuse in the Asia-Pacific Region: an evolving issue?
  • Wui Ling Chan,
  • David Wood,
  • Paul Dargan
Wui Ling Chan
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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David Wood
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Paul Dargan
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Abstract

Abstract Prescription medicine misuse, especially misuse of opioids has become a major public healthcare issue in many developed countries such as the United States of America and Australia where this is associated with significant morbidity (Emergency Department visits due to acute toxicity) and mortality. In this review, we looked at the available data obtained from peer-reviewed articles and population surveys to gain an insight into the current situation in the Asia Pacific region. There is currently limited information available, but data from subpopulation surveys in a number of countries suggests that prescription medicine misuse is likely to be an issue of concern from a public health perspective in the Asia Pacific region. The available data suggest that misuse prevalence rates and the medicines that are commonly misused are similar to countries such as the USA and United Kingdom. Further studies are required to determine the overall prevalence of misuse, the harms associated with this and the sources of drugs being misused so that appropriate interventions can be implemented to tackle issues related to prescription medicine misuse in this region. Keywords: Prescription medicine misuse, drug abuse, opioids, benzodiazepines, GABA analogues
01 Jul 2020Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
02 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
02 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
10 Oct 20201st Revision Received
12 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
12 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
12 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Apr 2021Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology volume 87 issue 4 on pages 1660-1667. 10.1111/bcp.14638