Effect of Government and Commercial Warnings on Reducing Prescription Misuse: the Case of Propoxyphene

The authors analyzed trends in prescribing & overdose deaths related of propoxyphene (e.g. Darvon) before & after a 1978-80 information campaign carried out by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration through mailed warnings, face-to-face education of subscribers, press releases, & labelling changes. The no-refill recommendation had no impact on refill rates, & the risk of propoxyphene overdose death has remained constant since 1979. Declines in misuse of such drugs will require stronger measures.