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Study register · detail Retrospektive Datenbankanalyse (Medicare Part D) · Opioid Reduction · 2016

Medical Cannabis Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D.

Bradford et al. ·Health Affairs
Clear benefit GRADE Low 342 citations
Sample—
Duration2010 to 2013
ControlStates without medical cannabis laws
EndpointPrescription volume
Blindingn.a.
DesignRetrospektive Datenbankanalyse (Medicare Part D)
Key finding

Medical cannabis laws significantly reduced prescription volumes and costs in Medicare Part D.

Summary

State medical cannabis laws (MML) significantly reduced prescriptions for medications for which cannabis is considered a clinical alternative; estimated annual savings for the Medicare program: $165,2 million (2013). Analysis of all Medicare Part D prescriptions 2010–2013 in MML vs. non-MML states.

P
PopulationMedicare Part D enrollees in US states with and without medical cannabis laws, data 2010–2013
I
InterventionEnactment of state medical cannabis laws (MML)
C
ControlStates without medical cannabis laws
O
OutcomeSignificant reduction in prescriptions for indications for which cannabis can serve as a clinical alternative; estimated savings of 165,2 million USD/year (2013) for Medicare and enrollees
Confidence in the evidence
Low

The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.

Quality profile
Sample size —
Blinding —
Effect size Clear benefit
Citations / year ★★★★★
Authors
Bradford AC, Bradford WD.
DOI 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1661↗
Design: Retrospektive Datenbankanalyse (Medicare Part D)
Share
Abstract
Legalization of medical Cannabis has been one of the most controversial areas of state policy change over the past twenty years. However, little is known about whether medical Cannabis is being used clinically to any significant degree. Using data on all prescriptions filled by Medicare Part D enrollees from 2010 to 2013, we found that the use of prescription drugs for which Cannabis could serve as a clinical alternative fell significantly, once a medical Cannabis law was implemented. National overall reductions in Medicare program and enrollee spending when states implemented medical Cannabis laws were estimated to be $165.2 million per year in 2013. The availability of medical Cannabis has a significant effect on prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D.
Indication
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The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius