Pharmacy-based expansion of buprenorphine access

Abstract

Introduction: Access to evidence-based medication treatment is a challenge for most Americans with opioid use disorder. New models of collaborative care that actively incorporate pharmacists are being trialed.

Methods: We author a commentary based on our experiences providing clinical care as part of a randomized controlled trial of pharmacy-based addiction care.

Results: This commentary describes some of the experiences of working with a Collaborative Practice Agreement between pharmacists and physicians to provide pharmacy-based, low-threshold buprenorphine access.

Conclusion: Given that 87 % of Americans with opioid use disorder are not getting access to buprenorphine or methadone, establishing a pharmacy-based buprenorphine treatment program is a promising strategy to address that gap and should be explored promptly.