The effect of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on prescriptions for treatment of alcohol dependence: a controlled interrupted time series analysis

Manca, F., Zhang, L. , Fitzgerald, N., Mackay, D. , McAuley, A., Sharp, C. and Lewsey, J. (2023) The effect of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on prescriptions for treatment of alcohol dependence: a controlled interrupted time series analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, (doi: 10.1007/s11469-023-01070-6) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

In 2018, Scotland introduced a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol to reduce alcohol-related harms. We aimed to study the association between MUP introduction and the volume of prescriptions to treat alcohol dependence, and volume of new patients receiving such prescriptions. We also examined whether effects varied across different socio-economic groups. A controlled interrupted time series was used to examine variations of our two outcomes. The same prescriptions in England and prescriptions for methadone in Scotland were used as controls. There was no evidence of an association between MUP implementation and the volume of prescriptions for alcohol dependence (immediate change: 2.74%, 95% CI: -0.068 0.014; slope change: 0% 95%CI: -0.001 0.000). A small, significant increase in slope in number of new patients receiving prescriptions was observed (0.2% 95%CI: 0.001 0.003). However, no significant results were confirmed after robustness checks. We found also no variation across different socioeconomic groups.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zhang, Lisong and Lewsey, Professor Jim and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Manca, Mr Francesco
• Authors: Manca, F., Zhang, L., Fitzgerald, N., Mackay, D., McAuley, A., Sharp, C., and Lewsey, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1557-1874
• ISSN (Online): 1557-1882
• Published Online: 22 May 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License