The performance of marginal structural models for estimating risk differences and relative risks using weighted univariate generalized linear models
Austin PC. Stat Methods Med Res. 2024; Apr 24 [Epub ahead of print].
Background — Regional variation in pharmacy-dispensed naloxone rates could create access disparities that undermine the effectiveness of this approach. We explored individual and public health unit (PHU)-level determinants of regional variation in naloxone distribution through the Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies.
Methods — We conducted a population-based study between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. We calculated age- and sex-standardized pharmacy-dispensed naloxone rates for the 35 Ontario PHUs, and identified determinants of these rates using generalized estimating equations negative binomial regression.
Results — The age- and sex-standardized pharmacy-dispensed naloxone rate in Ontario was 5.5 (range 1.8 to 11.6) kits per 1,000 population. Variables associated with higher naloxone dispensing rates included opioid use disorder history [rate ratio (RR) 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75 to 2.96], opioid agonist therapy (RR 11.17; 95% CI 7.15 to 17.44), and PHU opioid overdose rate (RR 1.09 per 10 deaths; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.13). Pharmacy-dispensed naloxone rates were lower in rural areas (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.94) and among individuals dispensed one (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.79), two to five (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.84) or 6 to 10 (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.74 to 1.14) opioids in the prior year relative to those receiving no opioids.
Conclusion — Pharmacy-dispensed naloxone programs are important components of a public health response to the opioid overdose crisis. We found considerable variation in pharmacy-dispensed naloxone rates that could limit program effectiveness, particularly in rural settings with limited access to health and harm reduction services.
Antoniou T, McCormack D, Campbell T, Sutradhar R, Tadrous M, Lum-Wilson N, Leece P, Munro C, Gomes T. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020; 216:108238. Epub 2020 Aug 19.
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