The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has posted information publicly on opioids dispensed from VA pharmacies, along with VA’s strategies to prescribe these pain medications appropriately and safely. The interactive map shows data over a five-year period (2012-2017) and does not include Veterans’ personal information. The posted information shows opioid-dispensing rates for each facility and how much those rates have decreased over time. It is important to note that because the needs and conditions of Veterans may be different at each facility, the rates of the use of opioids may also be different for that reason, and cannot be compared directly. The prescribing rate information will be updated semi-annually, on January 15 and July 15 of each year.
Read more:
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: https://www.data.va.gov/story/department-veterans-affairs-opioid-prescribing-data