Zhu W, et al. – Given that the opioid epidemic in the United States is spurred, in part, by overuse of prescription opioids among adults aged 25-64 years, researchers ascertained the incidence of initial opioid prescriptions in each month between July 2012 and December 2017 using administrative-claims data from across the United States (accessed through Blue Cross–Blue Shield Axis). They noted that the opioid epidemic progressed during the study period. This progression led many providers to stop initiating opioid therapy. The investigators observed a decline in the number of initial opioid prescriptions; however, there was a subgroup of providers who continued to write high-risk initial opioid prescriptions.