Pharmacists now have more guidance for combating the opioid crisis and providing treatment to patients, thanks to new national guidelines developed at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Guideline, released today, addresses critical barriers in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder across the nation's community pharmacies. The PhARM-OUD Guideline is available on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website.
With approximately 2.7 million individuals in the U.S.
affected by OUD, the need for effective management strategies has never been more urgent. The PhARM-OUD Guideline marks a significant advancement as the first consensus, evidence-based practice guideline specifically tailored for community pharmacists, equipping them with essential tools to enhance patient care. "Not all pharmacies stock medication for opioid use disorder; this new practice guideline will change that," said Tyler Varisco, assistant professor of pharmaceutical health outcomes and policy at UH and principal investigator of the project.
"By addressing the unique administrative and regulatory challenges they face, we aim to empower pharmacists to confidently dispense buprenorphine and provide effective care for those living with OUD." The PhARM-OUD Guideline provides nine major recommendations and 35 additional strategies designed to eliminate confusion and fear surrounding the dispensing of buprenorphine, a lifesav.