New research reveals thousands of injured workers in Australia may be at risk due to “high-risk” opioid prescriptions funded by workers’ compensation schemes. Experts are now urging regulators to take immediate action to address these harmful prescribing patterns.

Startling Findings on Opioid Use

A study by Monash University’s Healthy Working Lives Research Group analysed data from over 30,590 Victorian workers with compensation claims for back and neck injuries. The findings are concerning: one in five workers received opioid prescriptions within the first three months of their claim, and two-thirds of these prescriptions were classified as “high-risk”. This includes high doses, long-acting opioids, or concurrent prescriptions for psychotropic medications.

Professor Alex Collie, the study’s senior author, highlighted the potential scale of the issue: “If the patterns we observe in Victoria also occur in other states and territories, then potentially thousands of workers are receiving high-risk opioid prescriptions funded by our workers’ compensation schemes.”

Rural and Economically Disadvantaged Workers at Greater Risk

The study also revealed that injured workers in rural and more economically disadvantaged areas are more likely to receive high-risk opioid prescriptions and exhibit long-term use. Nearly a quarter of those prescribed opioids early were still using them a year later, doubling their odds of persistent use.

Calls for Regulatory Action

Researchers are calling for stronger monitoring of prescription patterns within workers’ compensation schemes. Professor Collie emphasised the need for better oversight: “Workers’ compensation scheme funders and regulators should closely monitor funded prescription medicine patterns to limit potentially harmful prescribing trends.”

The study also underscores the importance of educating patients about the risks of early and prolonged opioid use. Concurrent prescribing of psychotropic medications was identified as a major predictor of persistent opioid use, raising concerns about their combined long-term effects.

The Path Forward

Experts recommend prioritising short-acting opioids for initial pain management and limiting long-acting opioids due to their higher risks of dependence. Regulatory reforms, such as real-time prescription monitoring and enhanced education for both prescribers and patients, could help mitigate these risks.