Pharmacist Services in the Opioid Crisis: Current Practices and Scope in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacist roles promoting safe opioid use are recognized in literature and practice. Pharmacists can offer services such as counseling on opioid risks, naloxone dispensing, education on opioid storage and disposal, prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) utilization, opioid deprescribing, and providing resources for addiction treatment to help mitigate the opioid crisis. Objective: This commentary seeks to describe current and potential roles for pharmacists to combat the United States opioid crisis and identify key factors affecting service provision. Methods: The paper summarizes evidence-based studies describing current pharmacist roles and services, factors affecting service implementation, and strategies to further improve pharmacist roles and services related to promoting safe opioid use for patients. Results: Pharmacists recognize their roles and responsibilities to counsel patients on opioid risks, dispense naloxone, educate on opioid storage and disposal, utilize prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), offer opioid deprescribing, and provide resources for addiction treatment. However, pharmacists express low confidence, time, and training as barriers to service provision. This suggests a need for structured training, resources, and organizational support for pharmacists to improve confidence and participation in such services. Conclusions: Although pharmacists are aware of roles and responsibilities to help reduce the opioid crisis, more training, education, organizational support and resources are needed to increase their ability to embody these roles.

Roles of Pharmacy Technicians in Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse

“…2 This article found the need for the education and training of pharmacy technicians in substance abuse prevention and assistance, as previously discussed in the introduction. 2 The next article included for use was by Thakur et al, 4 which identified the current roles of pharmacists in combating the opioid epidemic and current ways they are involved within prescription drug abuse prevention; this was utilized largely within the background to provide context to efforts already being conducted within the pharmacy. Finally, the third article included was by Albanese et al, 5 which addressed current practices regarding prescription presentation within the pharmacy and roles of pharmacy technicians in pharmacy practice settings.…”

“…In this nationwide effort of prevention, pharmacists have been leaders in multiple avenues, such as educating patients on risks associated with opioid medication use, including long-term addiction. 4 In recent years, naloxone dispensing and training by pharmacists has been implemented throughout the country to aid those who may be at risk for opioid overdose. 4 Finally, pharmacists have been utilizing prescription monitoring programs within each state; these programs track controlled medications dispensed to patients, which aid the pharmacist in identifying and preventing potential prescription drug abuse and diversion.…”

“…4 Finally, pharmacists have been utilizing prescription monitoring programs within each state; these programs track controlled medications dispensed to patients, which aid the pharmacist in identifying and preventing potential prescription drug abuse and diversion. 4…”

Mapping Community Opioid Exposure Through Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Means to Engage Pharmacies in Harm Reduction Efforts

“…5 Harvard Humanitarian Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. 6 The Fenway Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. 7 The Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.…”

“…They are ideal locations where referral to substance use disorder treatment, initiation of medication assisted therapy, or community outreach can occur (2,3). Despite this, pharmacies are not fully integrated into opioid response; pharmacists have less information than physicians do about the local milieu of nonmedical opioid use (4)(5)(6). Mapping opioid exposure in areas surrounding pharmacies can provide important insights to pharmacists about the prevalence and patterns of opioid use and potential misuse.…”