A new cross-sectional study reports that gabapentin dispensing in Michigan's Medicaid program rose rapidly after the state removed the drug from its controlled substance schedule in 2024. The analysis covered the period from 2023 through 2025, capturing the change around the policy shift.
The study's findings suggest that scheduling status can have a measurable impact on how often a drug is prescribed or dispensed. Gabapentin, which is used for nerve pain and other conditions, had been subject to tighter controls before the removal.
Because this is a single-state analysis, the results may not generalize to other regions with different policies. Still, the observed spike in dispensing after the restriction fell highlights a potential trade-off between access and oversight for medications with abuse or diversion concerns.