Reduced Street Price and Quantity Discounts for Diverted OxyContin ER and Opana ER Following Crush-Resistant Reformulation

RADARS System has released their 2015 Q2 technical report, which uses StreetRx data to determine that the street prices of crush-resistant formulations of OxyContin ER and Opana ER are significantly lower than their crushable equivalents across multiple tablet strengths. As the report states,

These data suggest that buyers of diverted prescription opioids find crush resistant formulations less desirable and support their role in curbing opioid abuse.

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In addition, the report notes that, according to StreetRx data, price per mg decreased as tablet strength increased. This may represent a quantity discount phenomenon, by which buyers receive a lower price per mg for larger purchases as sellers minimize distribution risks. As the report states,

These data are the first to report quantity discounts for diverted prescription opioids, which furthers our understanding of the complexities of the diverted opioid market.