Bold Efforts to Improve Access to Treatment for Opioid Addicts

LET THEM IN –

April 4, 2023 – Currently in the United States only three medications are indicated for the treatment of OUD. Buprenorphine is the only one that is routinely dispensed by community pharmacists with a prescription.

“Unfortunately, only about half of all pharmacies in the United States dispense buprenorphine,” said Tyler Varisco, assistant professor of pharmaceutical health outcomes and policy and assistant director of research development in the Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center at the UH College of Pharmacy. “Our prior research, and that of our collaborators, shows that pharmacists aren’t always familiar with how buprenorphine fits into existing controlled substance policy and regulation from federal and state agencies, and this leads to confusion and fear of consequences making them less likely to dispense it.”

The team will work to eliminate the stigma, fear of investigations and other barriers preventing pharmacists from carrying out their clinical and regulatory responsibilities to provide safe and effective care for patients with OUD.