Study Data from University of Kentucky Update Knowledge of Opioids (Naloxone receipt following non-fatal opioid poisoning among Medicaid beneficiaries): Opioids

2026 JUL 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Investigators publish new report on Opioids. According to news reporting from Lexington, Kentucky, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Despite naloxone’s proven effectiveness in reversing opioid poisoning, receipt rates among the high-risk Medicaid population remain insufficient and the patient- and system-level characteristics associated with this gap are poorly understood. To describe the patient-and system-level characteristics associated with a naloxone prescription fill within 7 days of a non-fatal opioid poisoning among Medicaid beneficiaries.”

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the University of Kentucky, “Using the Merative™ MarketScan® Multi-State Medicaid Database (2018-2022), we identified adult ( 18 years) beneficiaries with a non-fatal opioid poisoning. The primary outcome was a naloxone prescription claim within 7 days of the index poisoning. Multivariable logistic regression characterized associations between beneficiary characteristics and naloxone prescription fill. Robustness was assessed using last-event indexing Among 64,332 beneficiaries (mean [SD] age 38.6 [12.1] years), 2,590 (4.0%) received naloxone within 7 days. After adjustment, the odds of naloxone receipt were higher among Black (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.41) and Hispanic (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.47) beneficiaries relative to White, and among those with a prior mental health disorder (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.12-1.34). Greater comorbidity was associated with higher odds relative to a Charlson score of 0 (1-2: aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25; 3-4: aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05-1.45 and 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.42). Odds were lower among older beneficiaries, particularly those aged 65 years (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.48), and those in capitated (managed care) plans (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.53-0.62). Findings were largely consistent across the sensitivity analysis. Prior opioid poisoning, more common under last-event indexing ( 1 episode in 65.5%, vs 0.8%), was not associated with naloxone receipt (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96-1.11). Naloxone remains under-prescribed for Medicaid beneficiaries after non-fatal opioid poisoning, with receipt varying by demographic, clinical, and insurance characteristics.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Timely naloxone should be offered to all in need, regardless of patient or system characteristics.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Naloxone receipt following non-fatal opioid poisoning among Medicaid beneficiaries. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2026:103485. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association can be contacted at: Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Rasaq Oladapo, Dept. of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States. Additional authors for this research include Patricia R. Freeman, Daniel Harris, Chris Delcher and Olufunmilola Abraham.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association is: Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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