In an ongoing effort to prevent prescription opioid abuse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a brochure for pharmacists, “Pharmacists: On the Front Lines—Addressing Prescription Opioid Abuse and Overdose.”
…the CDC is urging pharmacists to fully utilize the vital role they play on the front lines of healthcare delivery…
As one of the most accessible healthcare providers in neighborhoods across the nation, the CDC is urging pharmacists to fully utilize the vital role they play on the front lines of healthcare delivery to communicate with patients to help prevent prescription drug abuse.
The brochure provides helpful prompts to start conversations with patients about their medications and covers ways to recognize patterns which could indicate possible opioid abuse. It also encourages a collaborative approach between pharmacists and prescribers to optimize pain management, while preventing opioid abuse, and emphasizes educating patients about the safe use of opioids, including proper use, side effects and refill requirements.
