A new study suggests painkillers prescribed to pets could possibly be contributing to the opioid crisis in the U.S. The study, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine, was published Friday in Jama Network Open. It “reviewed all opioid pills and patches dispensed or prescribed for dogs, cats, and other small animals” at the university’s school of veterinary medicine from January 2007 to December 2017, a news release on the findings said. The results of this study suggest that by assessing the rate of veterinary opioid prescriptions, we can develop strategies to reduce both human and animal health risks associated with increasing use," Perrone added. “We found that the increased quantity of opioids prescribed by our hospital was not due to increased patient volume alone.

Source: Fox News January 12, 2019 22:18 UTC