A qualitative study of a publicly funded pharmacy-dispensed naloxone program

Antoniou, Tony; Pritlove, Cheryl; Shearer, Dana; Martins, Diana; Tadrous, Mina; Munro, Charlotte; Gomes, Tara

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103146

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Future continuing education initiatives should encourage pharmacists, especially those who are not working in chain pharmacies, to adapt their practices for their patients who are isolating at home or would prefer not to come personally to the pharmacy. Outside of the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists can make adjustments for their patients to support more naloxone distribution by offering to move to a separate space for counselling or to counsel about naloxone over the phone [24]. In addition, lessons learned during the current pandemic could serve as a basis for contingency planning for future major disruptions in naloxone access.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, lessons learned during the current pandemic could serve as a basis for contingency planning for future major disruptions in naloxone access. A recent qualitative study of patients who consume opioids found that patients who are stigmatized the most do not ask for naloxone due to previous judgmental experiences in the environment of the pharmacy or with the pharmacist [24]. It is important for pharmacists to adapt their practice to create a comfortable space for their patients, provide positive reinforcement to their patients for getting a naloxone kit, and to recognize when they may be using stigmatizing language [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating Community Pharmacy Take Home Naloxone Dispensing during COVID-19: The Impact of One Public Health Crisis on Another

2021

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A recent report found that the number of opioid-related deaths in Ontario in the first 15 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic was 38.2% higher than in the 15 weeks before the pandemic. Our study sought to determine if pharmacy professionals self-reported an increase or decrease in naloxone provision due to the pandemic and to identify adjustments made by pharmacy professionals to dispense naloxone during the pandemic. A total of 231 Ontario community pharmacy professionals completed an online survey. Pharmacy professionals’ barriers, facilitators, and comfort level with dispensing naloxone before and during the pandemic were identified. The sample consisted of mostly pharmacists (99.1%). Over half (51.1%) reported no change in naloxone dispensing, while 22.9% of respondents reported an increase and 24.7% a decrease. The most common adjustments made during the pandemic were training patients how to administer naloxone over video or phone, delivering naloxone kits, and pharmacy technicians offering naloxone at prescription intake. Over half (55%) of participants said the top barrier for dispensing was that patients did not request naloxone. Naloxone distribution through pharmacies could be further optimized to address the increased incidence of overdose deaths during the pandemic. Future research should investigate the reasons for changes in naloxone dispensing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Community Pharmacy Take Home Naloxone Dispensing during COVID-19: The Impact of One Public Health Crisis on Another

2021

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“…7 Barriers to expanded pharmacy naloxone distribution include lack of time, lack of renumeration and stigma. [8][9][10] Urgent action is required to address the ongoing increase in opioid-associated mortality. Our national consensus guidelines for pharmacists, published in 2020, call for naloxone to be offered to all patients receiving an opioid prescription.…”

Section: Pharmd Mscmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 Barriers to expanded pharmacy naloxone distribution include lack of time, lack of renumeration and stigma. 8-10…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The opioid crisis: Naloxone and pharmacists to the rescue

Beazely¹,

Tsuyuki²

2021

Can Pharm J

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“…7 The normalization of dispensing and offering naloxone to all can help to break barriers in pharmacist hesitancy as well as patient stigma. 8…”

Section: Access and Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequently asked questions about naloxone: Part 1

et al. 2021

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Are patients and community members asking complicated questions about naloxone? The goal of this 3-part informational series is to increase pharmacists' knowledge on the frequently asked questions about naloxone, so that they can fill their own knowledge gaps as well as those of their patients. Pharmacists are key to ensuring all those at risk of an opioid overdose, or who are in a position to help, have naloxone and know how to use it. Beyond the signs and symptoms of opioid toxicity, naloxone administration, and the importance of calling 911, pharmacists can also be a resource for emerging research about naloxone and countering myths about it. In this series, we will be addressing real-world questions from pharmacists, service providers and community members about naloxone.

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A qualitative study of a publicly funded pharmacy-dispensed naloxone program

Cited by 17 publications

References 50 publications

Investigating Community Pharmacy Take Home Naloxone Dispensing during COVID-19: The Impact of One Public Health Crisis on Another

Investigating Community Pharmacy Take Home Naloxone Dispensing during COVID-19: The Impact of One Public Health Crisis on Another

The opioid crisis: Naloxone and pharmacists to the rescue

Frequently asked questions about naloxone: Part 1

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