Michigan Snapshot

 

The Problem

 

  • Michigan has ranked in the top 15 U.S. states for opioid related deaths and opioid prescribing.

  • In 2018, Michigan had 2,011 opioid-related overdose deaths – a rate of 20.8 deaths/100,000 persons, compared to the national rate of 13.3/100,000.

  • Michigan data for 2015 showed 11.4 million prescriptions written for painkillers, about 115 opioid prescriptions per 100 people.

Taking Action

 

  • Integrating electronic health records with the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS)

  • Enhancing education opportunities for prescribers

  • Promoting prescription takeback programs

  • Increasing access to lifesaving Naloxone

  • Expanding the number of health professionals able to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

  • Promoting Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted prescribing guidelines

Making Progress

 

  • Michigan’s opioid dispensing rate decreased from 9.7 million prescriptions in 2017 to 8.4 million prescriptions in 2018 — a nearly 13 percent drop.

  • In 2019, Michigan’s opioid dispensing rate was 58 per 100 persons, compared to 63 per 100 in 2018.

  • Factors contributing to these declines include:

    • 22% decrease in residents receiving an opioid prescription

    • 323% increase in physician/pharmacist MAPS registration

    • 434% increase in times physicians/pharmacists checked patient prescription history using MAPS