Trends in the number of patients linked to potential vet-shopping behavior in the United States (2014-2019).

To estimate the number of patients linked to vet-shopping behavior (the solicitation of controlled substance prescriptions from multiple veterinarians for misuse) in the United States using 2014–2019 data and characterize mandates for veterinarians to examine prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) before prescribing controlled substances as of April 2021. National database reporting prescription dispensing from 92% of US pharmacies from 2014 through 2019. The annual number of patients with dispensed prescriptions for opioid analgesics, opioid cough-and-cold medications, or benzodiazepines from ≥ 4 veterinarians was calculated. State veterinary medical associations were contacted for information on veterinarian PDMP use mandates. From 2014 through 2019, the number of patients with prescriptions for any class of controlled substances from ≥ 4 veterinarians tripled, from 935 to 2,875 (+207.5%). The number of patients with opioid cough-and-cold medication prescriptions from ≥ 4 veterinarians rose from 150 to 1,348 (+798.9%). The corresponding number for benzodiazepines rose from 185 to 440 (+137.8%). The corresponding number for opioid analgesics peaked at 868 in 2016 before decreasing to 733 in 2019. In April 2021, 10 states mandated veterinarians to examine PDMP records of owners or animals before prescribing controlled substances; 3 mandates excluded benzodiazepines. Vet shopping in the United States may be increasingly common. Mandates for veterinarians to examine PDMPs before prescribing controlled substances might facilitate detection of this behavior. However, benefits of mandates should be weighed against their potential burden on veterinarians.

利用2014 - 2019年的数据估计美国与兽医处辗转求药行为（从多名兽医处获取管制药品处方用于滥用）相关的患者数量，并描述截至2021年4月要求兽医在开具管制药品处方前查看处方药监测计划（PDMPs）的规定情况。 全国数据库报告了2014年至2019年美国92%的药店的处方药调配情况。 计算了每年从≥4名兽医处获得阿片类镇痛药、阿片类止咳感冒药或苯二氮䓬类药物调配处方的患者数量。联系了各州兽医医学协会以获取有关兽医使用PDMP规定的信息。 从2014年到2019年，从≥4名兽医处获得任何类别管制药品处方的患者数量增加了两倍，从935人增加到2875人（+207.5%）。从≥4名兽医处获得阿片类止咳感冒药处方的患者数量从150人增加到1348人（+798.9%）。苯二氮䓬类药物相应的数量从185人增加到440人（+137.8%）。阿片类镇痛药相应的数量在2016年达到峰值868人，之后在2019年下降到733人。2021年4月，10个州要求兽医在开具管制药品处方前查看所有者或动物的PDMP记录；3项规定不包括苯二氮䓬类药物。 美国的兽医处辗转求药行为可能越来越普遍。要求兽医在开具管制药品处方前查看PDMPs的规定可能有助于发现这种行为。然而，应该权衡这些规定的益处与其对兽医可能造成的负担。