The increasing proportion of drug overdose deaths in the United States attributed to counterfeit prescription pills

Growing Threat of Fake Prescription Pills Fuels US Opioid Crisis, Warns CDC

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted the increasing danger posed by fake prescription pills in the United States. The report reveals that the proportion of overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills more than doubled between mid-2019 and late 2021. In western states, the percentage more than tripled during the same period. The CDC data shows that overdose deaths linked to fake pill use accounted for just 2% of fatalities between July and September 2019. However, this figure rose to 4.7% between October and December 2021.

The report also found that those who died from overdoses involving fake pills were more likely to be younger, Hispanic or Latino, and had a history of misusing prescription drugs. In the western states, including Arizona, Washington, and Alaska, the rate of overdose deaths associated with counterfeit pills surged from 4.7% to 14.7% during the study period. This increase is particularly notable as the western region has historically had less illegal white-powder fentanyl, a potent opioid commonly found in counterfeit pills, due to the prevalence of black tar heroin.

The release of this report comes as drug-related deaths in the US reach record highs. The CDC estimates that over 105,000 people died from overdoses in 2022. The authors of the report emphasize that the proliferation of counterfeit pills, which often resemble legitimate pharmaceuticals like oxycodone or alprazolam, is complicating the illicit drug market and potentially contributing to these deaths. Illicit fentanyl, a powerful opioid, was found to be the sole drug involved in 41.4% of overdose fatalities linked to counterfeit pill use.

In 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert warning about the increase in fake prescription pills being sold illegally, many of which contained potentially lethal amounts of fentanyl. Counterfeit versions of commonly-faked prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Xanax, and Adderall were being sold online and via social media. The DEA described the use of fake pills by drug traffickers as a way to exploit the opioid crisis and prescription drug misuse in the US, leading to overdose deaths and violence in American communities.

Last year, the DEA reported that 60% of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills it tested contained a potentially lethal dose of the opioid. To combat the ongoing opioid epidemic, the Biden administration recently announced the allocation of more than $450 million. This funding includes $18.9 million to expand a law enforcement program targeting drug trafficking and production at a regional level. Additionally, a portion of the funding will be used for a national ad campaign aimed at educating young people about the dangers of fentanyl. Services in rural areas across the country will also receive support to help those at risk of overdosing on illicit fentanyl or other opioids.

In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the over-the-counter sale of the overdose-reversing nasal spray Narcan, without the need for a prescription. These measures are part of the ongoing efforts by US officials to address the devastating impact of the opioid crisis.

Original Source: [NPR](https://www.npr.org)

Original Story at www.delmarvapublicmedia.org – 2023-09-06 21:15:00