Opioid prescriptions decline in Iceland despite rising usage among elderly population

The sale of opioid medications in Iceland has decreased compared to previous years. Recent data reveals that fewer prescriptions for opioids were filled last year, marking the lowest issuance per capita since the tracking of drug data began. However, there’s still a significant gap between Iceland’s statistics and those of neighboring countries.

A particular focus is needed on reducing prescriptions for Paracetamol combinations, suggesting a shift toward non-opioid pain relief alternatives. Concerns have emerged regarding an uptick in oxycodone prescriptions, which saw an increase in both the number of patients being prescribed oxycodone and a combination of oxycodone and naloxone in 2023. Notably, more individuals were prescribed limited daily dosages of these painkillers, but there was a decrease in the number receiving prescriptions for longer durations.

Despite the downward trend in opioid prescriptions in Iceland, when compared to its neighbors, the usage remains higher. In fact, last year’s opioid sales in Iceland were 25% greater than in Norway, the country with the next highest figures.

With an aging population, there is a rising trend in opioid use, where over 30% of individuals aged 80 and above received prescriptions for these medications last year. All age groups, except those between 67 and 79, showed a reduction in opioid use. A significant gender disparity exists, with 18.8% of women filling opioid prescriptions versus 13.2% of men.

A centralized prescription database aims to streamline the prescribing process to minimize potential misuse and enhance overall safety in medical treatments.