Marte Handal

Marte Handal is a Research Professor at the University of Oslo (UiO), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. She holds an MD from UiO (1991), a Specialist in Clinical Pharmacology (2008), and a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine, UiO (2009). Her academic work focuses on pharmacoepidemiology, prescription drug abuse potential, and registry-based research. Key areas of expertise include opioid use patterns, chronic pain management, and the epidemiology of substance use disorders. Dr. Handal’s research frequently utilizes national health registries to investigate drug safety, pediatric exposure outcomes, and public health trends in Norway and internationally.

Education:

• MD, University of Oslo, 1991
• Specialist in Clinical Pharmacology, 2008
• PhD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 2009

Research Interests: Dr. Handal’s work addresses critical issues in pharmacovigilance, including the long-term effects of opioid use, prenatal drug exposure, and the epidemiology of addictive substances. Her studies often bridge clinical practice and population health, with a focus on registry-based analyses to inform policy and treatment guidelines. Recent projects include the POINT initiative (Preventing an Opioid Epidemic in Norway) and cross-national collaborations on opioid maintenance treatment outcomes.

Key Themes in Publications: Her articles consistently explore opioid prescribing trends, mental health comorbidities in chronic pain patients, and the societal impacts of substance use. Notable topics include neonatal outcomes after prenatal exposure to opioids or methamphetamine, disparities in overdose mortality, and the influence of the pandemic on mental health medication use.

Grants & Collaborations: While specific grants are not listed, her involvement in the POINT project underscores her role in large-scale, registry-based research to combat opioid misuse. Collaborators include institutions in Denmark, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, reflecting her international reach in public health studies.

Labs/Teams: Dr. Handal’s research is embedded within UiO’s medical faculty and national health registries, enabling comprehensive population-level analyses. Her work intersects with clinical pharmacology, epidemiology, and public health policy.