In the study, researchers analyzed data from 2013 Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage claims including prescriptions for narcotic painkillers containing hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine and others in this class.
JAMA Internal Medicine published the study online.
Here are five takeaways:
1. Family practice physicians issued 15.3 million prescriptions.
2. Researchers found internal medicine physicians issued 12.8 million prescriptions.
3. The data revealed nurse practitioners wrote 4.1 million prescriptions for narcotic painkillers.
4. Physician assistants wrote 3.1 million prescriptions for narcotic painkillers.
5. In the last 20 years, narcotic painkiller abuse has increased 10-fold.
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