Prescription Drug Diversion: Predictors of Illicit Acquisition and Redistribution in Three U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

Objective Prescription drug diversion, the transfer of prescription drugs from lawful to unlawful channels for distribution or use, is a problem in the United States. Despite the pervasiveness of diversion, there are gaps in the literature regarding characteristics of individuals who participate in the illicit trade of prescription drugs. This study examines a range of predictors (e.g., demographics, prescription insurance coverage, perceived risk associated with prescription drug diversion) of membership in three distinct diverter groups: individuals who illicitly acquire prescription drugs, those who redistribute them, and those who engage in both behaviors. Methods Data were drawn from a cross-sectional Internet study ( N = 846) of prescription drug use and diversion patterns in New York City, South Florida, and Washington, D.C.. Participants were classified into diversion categories based on their self-reported involvement in the trade of prescription drugs. Group differences in background characteristics of diverter groups were assessed by Chi-Square tests and followed up with multivariate logistic regressions. Results While individuals in all diversion groups were more likely to be younger and have a licit prescription for any of the assessed drugs in the past year than those who did not divert, individuals who both acquire and redistribute are more likely to live in New York City, not have prescription insurance coverage, and perceive fewer legal risks of prescription drug diversion. Conclusion Findings suggest that predictive characteristics vary according to diverter group.

Prevalence and correlates of antibiotic sharing in the Philippines: antibiotic misconceptions and community‐level access to non‐medical sources of antibiotics

“…Covariates in the final model included age, education, sex, household size, knowledge and six antibiotic perceptions/misconceptions related to access, safety and proper use. Age, education, sex, household size and knowledge were selected for the final model as studies have previously examined their association with self-medication [9,25,[41][42][43]. Antibiotic misconceptions were also included in the Table 3.…”

“…A recent, global meta-analysis found a number of sociodemographic factors associated with antibiotic self-medication, including: low level of education, female sex, age and middle income [9]. Among non-antibiotic prescription drug sharing studies, having a prescription [41], lacking medical insurance [41], age [41,42] and female sex [43] have been found to be associated with prescription drug sharing.…”

Understanding the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Men’s Risk Behavior: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study

“…We screen for eligibility via a brief internet and mobile survey ( Table 1 ). The study team has conducted numerous internet and mobile surveys in past research with MSM [ 79 , 80 , 84 , 85 ] and substance-using populations [ 86 , 87 ]. Eligible men interested in participating are asked to provide contact information (ie, email, phone) so that study staff can schedule an in-person interview.…”

Friends and Relatives as Sources of Prescription Opioids for Misuse among Young Adults: The Significance of Physician Source and Race/Ethnic Differences

“…One topic of particular interest in recent years has been sources of prescription drugs, which examine the various ways users obtain prescription drugs. 15 – 21 See Hulme et al. (2018) for recent review and meta-analysis of this topic 22…”

“…3 , 15 , 16 Studies examining racial/ethnic differences in sources of prescription drugs have produced mixed results. Some research suggests that whites are more likely to divert prescription medications, 5 , 17 whereas others suggest that African Americans are more likely to divert prescription medications. 20 Additionally, whites are more likely to obtain prescription opioids free from friends/relatives and to purchase compared with African Americans and Hispanics, whereas African Americans are more likely to obtain them from physicians than whites or Hispanics.…”