Aetna Study Shows Decrease in Prescription Drug Misuse, Waste and Abuse Through Increased Monitoring

Fort Mill Times (Hartford, CT) March 8, 2013

"Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic in the United States with about 2.4 million Americans struggling with addiction to prescription painkillers known as opioids. According to the CDC, opioid addiction is a leading cause of death in the United States and adds $72.5 billion in expense to the health care system each year.1 A recent study of Aetna’s (NYSE: AET) programs designed to address prescription drug misuse, waste and abuse showed reduced opioid use among 4.3 million members by 15 percent between January 2010 and January 2012. These outcomes were unveiled at the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute’s Drug Benefit Conference held February 18 – 20 in Las Vegas." Read More