ArticleSaudi journal of anaesthesia
Impact of the Raqeeb narcotic controlling system on tramadol prescriptions in surgical patients: A pre-post implementation study.
Article in Saudi journal of anaesthesia. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Tramadol hydrochloride, a Schedule III opioid, is the primary take-home narcotic for postoperative pain in Saudi Arabia, with a misuse prevalence of 11.4%-20%. On February 1, 2024, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority implemented the Raqeeb electronic monitoring system for real-time prescription tracking to curb abuse while maintaining legitimate access. Objectives: To evaluate Raqeeb's impact on tramadol prescribing in surgical patients and compare outcomes with international prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all adult patients (≥18 years) receiving tramadol prescriptions at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia (April 2023 to June 2025), divided into pre-Raqeeb and post-Raqeeb periods. All tramadol prescriptions (acute postoperative and chronic/non-surgical indications) were included. Monthly rates were normalized; comparisons used Results: Monthly tramadol prescription rates in surgical patients decreased 43% (from 10.6 to 6.1 prescriptions/month). Mean dispensed quantity increased from 17.0 ± 7.6 to 21.5 ± 12.9 tablets ( Conclusion: Raqeeb achieved a 43% reduction in tramadol prescriptions among surgical patients-exceeding typical PDMP postoperative reductions (5%-30%)-with a shift toward older patients and chronic indications, without apparent barriers to legitimate access.
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