Doctors prescribe fewer opioids but black market thrives, expert warns

Doctors in Denmark’s Region Syddanmark have reduced opioid prescriptions by 20 percent over two years, cutting the number of patients receiving the drugs from 71,000 in 2023 to 57,000 in 2025, according to a report by Danish broadcaster DR.

The decline follows a targeted effort to limit the use of highly addictive painkillers such as tramadol, fentanyl, and oxycodone, said regional council chairman Bo Libergren. “Previously, there may have been too much focus on simply covering patients’ pain,” he explained. “Now, both hospitals and general practitioners are far more aware of which opioids they prescribe and the quantities involved.”

Pharmacists have also noted the shift. Gitte Halberg Andersen, chair of the local Pharmacists’ Association branch, confirmed that doctors and hospitals are increasingly opting for alternative pain relief methods.

However, addiction specialist Lars Holm warned that the reduction in prescriptions does not address the root problem. “It’s well known that you can buy opioids on Snapchat or in kiosks—you don’t even need to go to [Copenhagen’s] Istedgade anymore,” he said. “If someone is dependent, the withdrawal is so severe that they’ll find another way if the doctor refuses. What we need is more focus on tapering off misuse.”