Assessing pharmacists’ readiness to dispense naloxone and counsel on responding to opioid overdoses

Abstract

ObjectivesThe United States declared the opioid crisis a Public Health Emergency in 2017 and recommended increasing access and availability of naloxone, a reversal agent for opioid overdose. In Massachusetts, there is a statewide standing order for naloxone, which allows pharmacists to dispense it without a prescription to any person at-risk of experiencing an opioid overdose or other persons who can assist individuals at-risk. The objective of this study was to determine whether pharmacists in Massachusetts have sufficient education and training to fulfill the duties associated with dispensing naloxone in community pharmacy settings. The researchers investigated the pharmacists’ ability to counsel patients both on naloxone and management of patients with an opioid overdose. MethodsAt the time of the study, pharmacies could elect to have a standing order for naloxone. A randomized sample of 100 pharmacies was generated from the 792 pharmacies with a standing order. From this sample, 79 of the 100 pharmacies were visited on the basis of convenience and distribution in eastern and central Massachusetts. At each pharmacy, a validated 25-item survey was administered to pharmacists. ResultsFewer than half of participants knew that different formulations of naloxone possess different quantities. Although 52% of pharmacists indicated the need to call 9-1-1 when witnessing an opioid overdose, 8% knew to start rescue breathing, and 4% knew to place patients in the recovery position. ConclusionDespite regulations requiring all pharmacies with a standing order to provide training on naloxone, many of the pharmacists surveyed did not have a strong understanding about naloxone products or its pharmacology. The level of education Massachusetts pharmacists possess on naloxone products and administration is not sufficient to counsel patients regarding this medication. Increasing training requirements in pharmacy schools and continuing education offers potential solutions to the lack of knowledge in the community pharmacy setting.