New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that overdose deaths caused by counterfeit drugs are alarmingly high and continuing to rise. The CDC report, conducted between July 2019 and December 2021, shows that fake pill use and overdose deaths more than doubled during this period and tripled in the western United States.
During this timeframe, there were over 54,000 overdose deaths linked to the use of counterfeit pills. The study indicates that these deaths were often associated with individuals aged 35 and younger, Hispanic or Latino individuals, and individuals with a history of prescription drug misuse.
The study specifically highlights that more than half of the deaths involving fake pill use were connected to counterfeit oxycodone or counterfeit alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax). These counterfeit pills are designed to resemble genuine pharmaceutical products.
Counterfeit pills may contain illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMFs) or illicit benzodiazepines, which significantly increase the risk of drug overdoses for individuals who are unaware of the true substances they are consuming. The study emphasizes that IMFs were the sole drugs involved in approximately 41% of deaths related to counterfeit pill use, compared to nearly 20% of overdose deaths with no evidence of counterfeit pill involvement.
In response to this crisis, the Biden administration has announced the allocation of over $450 million in new funding to combat the overdose epidemic. This funding aims to reduce deaths, support recovery efforts, and launch targeted information campaigns to educate young individuals about the risks associated with counterfeit drugs.
Notably, the availability of the opioid overdose antidote Narcan will be expanded to over the counter beginning in the coming days.
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