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The Opioid Files: Data Shows Opioid Pain Pill Numbers For Escambia County
July 29, 2019
For the first time, a database maintained by the Drug Enforcement Administration that tracks the path of every single pain pill sold in the United States — by manufacturers and distributors to pharmacies in every town and city — has been made public.
The Washington Post sifted through nearly 380 million transactions from 2006 through 2012 that are detailed in the DEA’s database and analyzed shipments of oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, which account for three-quarters of the total opioid pill shipments to pharmacies.
From 2006 to 2012 there were 108,324,348 prescription pain pills, enough for 51 pills per person per year, supplied to Escambia County.
The now-closed A&E Pharmacy in Pensacola received the highest number of pills. A & E recieved 5,259,640 pills.
Among North Escambia pharmacies, the Cantonment Pharmacy received 4,004,040 pills, the third highest total in the county, according to the Washington Post data from the DEA. Escambia County’s top 10 and the remainder of those in North Escambia appearing in the database are in the graphic below..
These records provide an unprecedented look at the surge of legal pain pills that fueled the prescription opioid epidemic, which resulted in nearly 100,000 deaths during the seven-year time frame ending in 2012.
The Post gained access to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System, known as ARCOS, as the result of a court order. The Post and HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail in West Virginia, waged a year-long legal battle for access to the database, which the government and the drug industry had sought to keep secret.
All data courtesy The Washington Post, used with permission.
Comments
38 Responses to “The Opioid Files: Data Shows Opioid Pain Pill Numbers For Escambia County”
I know that Century is listed high on the list, but I also know our insurance sends us to CareMark CVS to fill our meds, curious to know how many Alabama residents, such as myself, fill these prescriptions in Century due to insurance. Also I don’t believe we should be punishing the elderly, those fighting a serious illness, or like me those that fill a small amount for the year. I am under 50 pills for this year, only due to a dental error.
Food for thought
It is very irritating to the patients that adhere to rules every month, make their copays and premiums to the insurance companies and have to pee in a cup to get their pain managed. Now Florida is trying to abolish opiates and give epidural injections instead. Some of us old folks cannot endure the pain of an injection each month. I don’t know of anyone my age or older selling their pain medication. I’m sure there are some who do, but we don’t. It’s the dealers who make it bad for the ones who really need it. And you have to go monthly? Why can’t they write the RX for 90 days. Who has the gas money to travel to Pensacola? Ridiculous! There needs to be more methadone clinics for these people who don’t manage their pain legally.
We can only hope that the people are against pain management, find themselves needing them and not available.
Let’s just pretend that alcohol is not the most destructive legal substance I do not understand the pharmacy listings, doesn’t a Rx have to be written by someone with 12-16 years of learning. The Drs. and pharmacies will do whatever the government allows.
How did oxycodone ever become non-addictive ?
Huh huh ? Why was I allowed 12 Methadones a day and my friend 90 -30 mg. Oxys and 60-40 mg. Oxys plus 90 Somas. ? You tell me. ?!?!
Because the government was looking the other way and the Dr. wanted to make $$.
Why did the pharmacies fill it ? Because they did not care. Now all of a sudden on my C2 Rx it says offer Narcan ?
That’s funny
Actually, taking your prescribed medication at the correct dosage for medical issues that are legit will allow your body to build a tolerance and function correctly. This happens when your doctor is doing their job and evaluating your actual needs and not your perceived needs. Also, drug testing and med counting by pain management doctors allows them to try to make sure the patient is not abusing meds or taking anything on the side. That being said,it’s not a perfect system, the illicit drug users that get it from a street dealer or “friend” are the ones being arrested for possession. Overdoses happen because you take more than prescribed or it’s illegal. Most these meds say you should not consume with alcohol but that doesn’t stop people either. So they get a DUI that’s a mix of drugs and alcohol I.e. super messed up. Nobody’s going to be able to stop that behavior, not the government or the police, it’s been going on since impairing substances were invented and it will continue. Sadly, people with serious issues that are responsible are being punished because of addicts and criminals.
A & E was popular because they would help people who had poor or no insurance on the cost of medication. My wife had a tumor and some pretty major surgeries. She was fired from work because she couldn’t work and lost her insurance. At one point, her medication was about 650.00 a month at Walmart and even more at CVS and Walgreens. We went to A&E and got the same meds for about 175.00 a month. So we stayed with A&E until they closed, even after getting health insurance. I’m sure they helped a lot of people like us out which would account for their high sales. Also, they were in a fairly populated area.
This “fake war on opioids” statistics do not cover that most deaths are from heroin. and fentanyl laced heroine. basically street drugs. Most chronic pain patients need their pain meds to have a life thats even functional. the chronic pain patients don’t get high on their meds. they don’t abuse their meds and they make them last monthly. the life of a chronic pain patient is that they are NEVER out of pain, the pain meds only get them by, and moving to be able to live what “appears” to be a halfway normal life. this war on doctors is taking away chronic patients medication AND/ or limiting the allotted monthly amount; to the point that patients are NOT able to do much but sit and cry or stay in bed. non-productivity. This war does not stop the heroin, does not stop deaths, doesn’t stop the street problem where most opioid deaths are. in fact AND what’s worse, the cutting meds of THE chronic pain patients may, can, and in a lot of cases leave the patient desperate for pain relief where they may turn to the streets for the pain meds they’ve been limited or cut from. the problem with this is it’s forces the patient to buy off the street’s which is illegal BUT WORSE it puts them in immediate danger for they may encounter or purchase medication that is something else, bogus, or laced with fentanyl. at this point the patient is in danger all because the doctors quit prescribing, all because the dea crack down, all because ppl died on mostly street opioids , heroin. This seems more like a weeding of a population. a lot of chronic patients will commit suicide from lack of meds. others will turn to the streets, go to jail if they get caught, some of them will go in debt paying for the high priced black market street opioid where some of them will commit suicide still, and all because a doctor cannot or will NOT prescribe any longer. This seems more of a human rights issue. where are they lawyers for this? or for the suffering?. there should be a lawyer or several lawyers to come to the aid of so many suffering in pain because the government is making them suffer AND die. or die off!? and for escambia county if a lawyer would pick THIs up as a class action suit, the investigation of chronic pain and the bone pain in patients i believe is linked to the fluoride used in escambia county water. there is plenty of merit to fight what IS happening to chronic pain patients in the community and nationwide!
Just a heavy thought here. How many minor to major car wrecks have been caused by these pills. No you can’t drive safely while taking these on a daily basis.
To all the people saying no one forced the pill down anyones throat or think the opioid crisis has been from illegal distro and not pharmaceutical companies: You probably should get educated on the tactics used by the drug manufacturers.
They lied to doctors on both dosage metrics and addiction.
They lied to patients.
They lied to everyone.
Their goal was to pump pills into the patients mouths daily. They knew what they were doing.
There needs to be accountability for the mass quantities being distributed but on the flip no one is forced to put a pill down their throat. Unfortunately some find themselves in situations where they feel they are left without options for pain relief and resort to relying on these horrific drugs. The solution lies in requiring more education about the addictive nature of these pharmaceuticals PRIOR to treatment. The government is trying to control all aspects of our healthcare with an epidemic scare when it’s all personal choices and liberties. I’m sorry some people can’t take their medication as prescribed but those that need it and do take it as prescribed shouldn’t be ostracized for medicating appropriately.
I too have chronic pain and although I feel for the families of abusers. You should not penalize the many that need pain relief because some choose to abuse. In my case, I am always in pain! However, opiods can make the difference between waking up screaming and then passing out and being able to do basic things … like read, write, enjoy a movie or drive to t
Don’t punish the many that need opiods to control pain for the relative few that abuse them.
They don’t care whether we hurt or not. I have also seen things that help declared illegal because the Doctors and “ BIG DRUG COMPANIES CANNOT MAKE MONEY”. I have bone on bone painful knee joints , neuropathy, and arthritis.
@Mamabear
Can’t add in addictions because those numbers weren’t included; only deaths.
One can only work with the information given.
If you take your pain pills the way they’re suppose to be taken an you’re really in pain its ok.its the people that mix other stuff with it.i know people that’s mixing adhd meds with it.thats the doctors fault.if you’re in pain you dont need the other stuff.its a high.my daughter is in jail for acting out on both these meds.so yes I blame some doctors.
@SW
Your calculations are wrong. You need to add in every person who has an addiction to the 100,000 deaths to get an accurate percentage!!
Thanks s I s ridiculous. I live in pain constantly because of this you all c will pay one day for this May God have mercy on your soul
I understand that there is an opioid problem in this country, but I fully believe that the vast majority of the problems come from illegal Opioids. I would also venture to guess that there are people who do get prescribed opioids and possibly even take illegal opioids on top of that, and that those are the people who are overdosing.
I seriously have a problem when people who have cancer and people who have chronic pain are being treated like drug addicts when they’re not! When these people are being denied pain medication to control their pain, I see that as a problem. They have swung the pendulum too far the other way and now everyone is being denied pain medication even after major surgeries. When people who have cancer stage four cancer are now being given Tylenol for their pain, that wrong!!
I totally agree with mike and that person “A” number one i have a right to live pain free but the government says no i dont because theres others that have died from the opioids. Plus u cant blame these doctors because of what people tell them. Personally ive had xrays m.r.i. and all to prove my pain but the government still says no.im sorry some have lost there lives from opioids but it’s not the doctors or and MAINLY the pharmacy.its because they choose to take it not the way your suppose to and i seriously feel the pharmacy’s are getting a bad wrap for doing there jobs so stop posting there names
Sounds like a lot of these comments are from people that are already addicted to opioids. No one is pointing their finger at you but you are an addict whether you want to admit it or not. It’s just like tobacco and alcohol, if you have enough money our government will allow you to potentially kill people and that what going on with the opioid crisis. No More Lobbying with the Government might help.
A lot of denying and finger pointing going on in the comments today. As a person with a family member who is addicted to these damn pills you deniers are way off base. The distributors of these pills (the one that supplies the pharmacy) is being sued by the U.S (that’s the government) because of their business practices.
They would give doctors kickbacks to prescribe more pills. One of the heads of these companies got his entire family to help him promote them (the Sacklers….of course billionaires now) they held conventions they had seminars they even went door to door promoting these pills. Their business practices were abhorrent because they KNEW how addictive this drug is yet they pushed doctors to prescribe it for the smallest reasons they could.
You say you take it for pain? What if there is another less addictive drug you could take but your Doctor prescribed you an opioid anyway because the company that sells them bought him a new car or a trip to the Bahamas? Well that really happened (the Sacklers are in serious legal trouble these days….but i’m sure they can buy their way out of it) now even if you wanted to even if you should quit taking these pills you cant.
My sister tried to get off them many many many times. She had to go to the methadone clinic like a heroin addict to kick them and is still fighting for her life to this day. You say you take them for pain but you really take them because your doctor prescribed them to you. These numbers are completely on par for the opioid crisis we are facing though other cities have it far far worse then we do. It really is the new crack.
One pharmacy fills more than other pharmacies I believe because of the cost. Insurance companies dictate which pharmacies to use for the best price and in their network . If a patient uses a different pharmacy outside of the network, then a high cost for the prescription must be paid for by the patient. It’s most likely that A&E was used by people that didn’t have insurance and kept the cost low is what I’m thinking. I’ve not seen A&E on my pharmacy network list when they were open for business. Just saying this may be the reasons that a handful of pharmacies filled more than others.
I’ve had to take a few pain pills after hip surgery and my pharmacy of choice did not have the prescription in stock. I had to find one that did in network. The Dr. that wrote my prescription will only write one 10-day supply (#20) for you within the first few days post surgery. After that it’s tylenol and ibuprofen. I could barely walk at my 3 month check up and he said NO to any more pain pills. This Dr. definitely abides by the rules.
I know several people with major skeletal problems, and they do need the maximum amount allowed of pain meds per month. But it’s those that go to the Dr. and lie about their issues and get prescriptions so they can sell the drugs.
All the blame shouldn’t be placed on the patient for taking a large number of pain pills. Do a study on the Dr’s that prescribe them also. There is such a thing as over-prescribing opioids. Another drug could be tried first, instead of prescribing the top of the opioid list drug.
Sorry but you’re one-sided to say “weak willed people”. You may be perfect and haven’t been in the pain that some of these people are experiencing. It takes one accident to mess you up and then you say that. You will be weak literally..
Karma!
Some of these comments, no one has ever died in there family.
What ever happen to patient privacy? For those who have never experience chronic pain, don’t know what it’s like to wake up in pain and go to bed in pain, every single day of your life. Is there a quality of life here? If your doctor prescribes a med, that will relief just a small portion of the pain, that’s better than no relief at all. Poop on this data! Look at the other side of the fence and you will find the real problem. Don’t take it away from the ones that need it!! Where is the street drugs data??
What A said. I totally agree. I have chronic pain problems. I have 2 diseases that cause my joints to be inflamed and swollen and I stay in pain and we are being punished for other people’s behaviors.
I’m surprised that the Washington Post actually printed this. They tend to not give a care for rural America and only the Cities, and cater to “woke” politics. I’m glad, though, because it is a problem, and it needs to be dealt with. Myself and everyone I know (with a few exceptions) prefer not to take prescribed pain medication. Personally it makes me feel sick.
What’s the point? If you have a prescription you can take it to any pharmacy. The pharmacy isn’t just handing the pills out, a DOCTOR is writing the prescription.
Now can we go back and run those numbers againist government ran methadone and sub clinics. We were over medicated so we either turn to street drugs, or tge only other option government controlled pain meds. Damn the proof is here.
@ John,
Based on the numbers for Escambia Co-it is 57/person/yr. Just a little over 1/person.
Since this report mixes up all kinds of numbers, it does create the possibility for an error.
How many deaths in Escambia Co?
The national average is 14,000 (roughly) per year. 14,000/300,000,000 is still a very small number, relatively speaking.
Epidemic? Hardly.
Is this pharmacy shaming? Patient shaming? Doctor shaming? Again, what is the purpose if this report?
They should be concerned about the DOCTORS who prescribe the pills, not the pharmacies that fill them.
Ok. I’m sorry that their are people with addictive behaviors and people that are just ridiculous with their lives. But I personally have chronic pain problems. I have stenosis, osteoporosis, herniated disc and nerve damage just in my back and neck. I also have arthritis in every joint of my body. I’ve tried everything, juicing, physical therapy, massage therapy,home remedies, etc, the only thing that gives me a small relief from pain is my pain med. No it Don’t completely stop my pain but it helps enough so I can live a some what normal life. I take it as prescribed sometimes less if I’m having a good day. I’m so tired of hearing people judge people that take narcotics like we all are addictics, we aren’t. Some of us are trying to live through massive pain issues.
The real drug problem is the people cooking up chemicals in their kitchens, it’s call METH. THERES A REAL PROBLEM.
Until time ends…you will never get a drug free society..be it legal or illegal. Remember pot was the devil weed..now our own government gave up. Next…medical pot being over dispensed..so let’s cut that back. If you want pot or any other drug..you will find a seller. Legal or illegal
Lets also name Doctors.
This does not take into account the opioids sold on the street. So, the actual numbers are staggering. Manuel Noriega said it best upon his arrest. “Can I help it if America has such an appetite for drugs?” We are an over-medicated society.
you can call this an “epidemic” if you like, but all these pills were prescribed by doctors trying to relieve suffering. also, not one pill was forced down the throat of one person, they were swallowed willingly. the media would have you believe there some sort of evil plan or something making people become addicts when it is just weak willed people that will gobble anything to make the realities of everyday life seem less harsh.
Sorry, life isn’t all cotton candy and being wrapped in swaddling cloth, and trying to hide from it in drugs won’t work.
Pharmacys only fill prescriptions. WHO were the doctors writing prescriptions ? ? ? And what was their total ? ? ?
The statistic “51 pills per person” is misleading as it pertains to every man, woman, and child in the county. The actual “per user” number is much higher…..and deadlier.
Well we have a idea of the “pill mill supplier” here in Pensacola. How does one pharmacy fill more opiods than Walgreen and CVS?
This report serves to what end?
51 pills per person per year. <1 per week.
100,000 deaths out of 300,000,000 people = .03%.
Hardly seems epidemic.