The CDC reports that nearly 15,000 people die every year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers.
In many states doctors prescribe a large number of painkillers to patients who do not need them for medical reasons – this is called “pill mills”. Patients do what they call “doctor shopping” and get multiple prescriptions from different doctors.
Out of roughly 15,000 people dying every year, 6,600 are women.
Prescription Drug Deaths among Women
Experts say that women are more likely to abuse prescription drugs because they are more likely to suffer with chronic pain, and be prescribed these painkillers for longer periods of time with higher dosages, leading to drug overdose.
The CDC conducted a study that showed the number of deaths among women increased 400 percent from 1999 to 2000 compared to the 250 percent increase in men.
Recently, women have been handling more than they had to in previous decades. Between working and caretaking it has increased the pressures women endure.
However, monitoring the prescriptions doctors use may be the solution to stopping so many drug overdoses.
Preventing Prescription Drug Overdoes
The US government has been tracking the prescription drug overdose trends to have a better understanding of this epidemic.
While this is a good start, the overdoses are still occurring. Some suggest Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) to help track all the prescriptions for painkillers.
New Jersey is one of 38 states that tracks doctor shopping by patients.
Although states can help enforce these laws and track prescription drugs, the individual who is prescribed certain drugs should be mindful of how much he/she is consuming.
Taking painkillers as directed can be efficient in decreasing the amount of deaths that occur.