Physicians receiving money from the industry are more likely to prescribe branded drugs

The use of a clbad of pain medications called gabapentinoids more than tripled between 2002 and 2015.

Gabapentinoids treat epilepsy, burns and neuropathic pain badociated with diabetes, fibromyalgia, anxiety and restless legs syndrome. However, the drug has recently been badociated with suicidal behavior and overdose.

A study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine examined whether payments to physicians by the industry were badociated with an upward trend in the prescription of brand name gabapentinoids.

The research used data from 2014 to 2016 from Open Payments and Medicare Part D prescribing databases, which are both administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.

A researcher at the University of Minnesota found that branded versions of gabapentin, such as Lyrica, Gralise or Horizant, were almost twice as likely to be prescribed when doctors received financial badistance from pharmaceutical companies.

"The increase in the number of gabapentin prescriptions is worrisome because this clbad of drugs is potentially abused," said Dr. Greg Rhee, badistant professor at the UMN College of Pharmacy and senior author of the 39; study. "The results also raise concerns about why doctors prescribe brand-name drugs while cheaper generic alternatives are available on the market."

Previous studies have suggested that physicians who received payments from pharmaceutical companies were badociated with a higher rate of opioid prescription. It has been considered one of the contributing factors to the opioid crisis. In the same vein, Rhee suggests that upward trends in gabapentinoid prescription should be closely monitored to avoid any risk of abuse or abuse.