Pacira BioSciences Study Shows EXPAREL Cuts Opioid Use and Costs in 6,400 Shoulder Arthroplasties
PCRX•Pacira BioSciences' retrospective analysis of 6,400+ Medicare Advantage patients undergoing outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty between July 2019 and December 2024 found EXPAREL use was associated with reduced opioid consumption, fewer opioid-related adverse events, and lower 90-day healthcare costs compared with standard-of-care analgesia.
1. Study Design
Pacira BioSciences conducted a retrospective observational analysis using Optum Clinformatics data from July 2019 to December 2024, evaluating outcomes in more than 6,400 opioid-naïve Medicare Advantage patients undergoing outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty. Patients receiving EXPAREL were compared against those given standard-of-care analgesia, with endpoints including opioid intake, opioid-related adverse events, and total healthcare costs over a 90-day postoperative period.
2. Key Findings
Results showed that patients treated with EXPAREL experienced lower cumulative opioid consumption and a reduction in opioid-related adverse events over 90 days. Additionally, the EXPAREL cohort incurred significantly lower healthcare costs compared with the standard analgesia group, underlining both clinical and economic benefits.
3. Clinical and Economic Impact
These real-world findings reinforce the potential of non-opioid pain management strategies to mitigate opioid exposure and enhance recovery in an aging surgical population. Lower adverse event rates and cost savings may drive greater clinician confidence and support value-based care initiatives targeting postoperative pain management.
4. Market and Payer Implications
The demonstrated economic advantages of EXPAREL could influence payer coverage decisions, especially under evolving policies like the NOPAIN Act that aim to improve reimbursement for non-opioid therapies. Broader adoption of EXPAREL may strengthen Pacira's market position in both inpatient and outpatient surgical pain management segments.
