Article Commentary: Pharmacy: Addressing Substance use in the 21st Century

Abstract

Across all care environments, pharmacists play an essential role in the care of people who use and misuse psychoactive substances, including those diagnosed with substance use disorders. To optimize, sustain, and expand these independent and collaborative roles, the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance Use and Addiction (AMERSA) has developed core competencies for pharmacists to address substance use in the 21st century. Key concepts, skills, and attitudes are outlined, with links to entrustable professional activities to assist with integration into a variety of ideally interdisciplinary curricular activities.

Buprenorphine physician–pharmacist collaboration in the management of patients with opioid use disorder: results from a multisite study of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network

“…They dispense prescription medications, educate patients about safe medication practices, and could be trained to identify red flags for intervention (e.g. diversion, improper prescribing), provide counseling, and help treatment referrals [6,7]. Pharmacists are among the most trusted healthcare professionals [8] and they are highly accessible, even in US rural areas with relatively high opioid death rates [9].…”

Mobilizing pharmacists to address the opioid crisis: A joint opinion of the ambulatory care and adult medicine practice and research networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

“…47 However, there must also be sufficient pharmacist buy-in, training, and resources, otherwise progress will stagnate despite progressive state privileges. 48 Providing education on harm reduction, opioid stewardship, and OUD early in student training, 189…”

“…However, there must also be sufficient pharmacist buy‐in, training, and resources, otherwise progress will stagnate despite progressive state privileges 48 . Providing education on harm reduction, opioid stewardship, and OUD early in student training, 189 and supplemental knowledge throughout a pharmacists' career, is essential for building individual knowledge and confidence in these areas.…”

Meeting people where they're at: A focus on pharmacist harm reduction roles in the opioid crisis

“…Expand the roles of pharmacy technicians to be independent, autonomous immunizers and naloxone dispensers, as they are frequently the first point of contact by people who purchase nonprescription syringes. Overcome ambivalence and stigma through curricular integration and continuing professional educational opportunities, both ideally delivered in interprofessional settings …”

“…PWID face stigma from the public, their family, health care workers, and themselves, resulting in barriers to access employment, education, housing, and delaying evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment. 4,5 To help reduce stigma, pharmacists should inte- 36 Buprenorphine is a first-line treatment for OUD that lowers mortality by at least 50%. 37 Buprenorphine not only is a long-term maintenance medication for OUD, but also a harm reduction medication that protects users from overdose while treating the symptoms of opi-…”