Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Mar 2017
Antimicrobial stewardship in the Federal Bureau of Prisons: Approaches from the national and local levels.
To determine the impact of national and local antimicrobial stewardship measures on overall antibiotic prescribing in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). ⋯ A robust multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship program has likely contributed to a decrease in both the total number and the rate of antibiotic prescriptions on a per-1000-patient basis in BOP.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Mar 2017
Pharmacy-based statewide naloxone distribution: A novel "top-down, bottom-up" approach.
To highlight New Mexico's multifaceted approach to widespread pharmacy naloxone distribution and to share the interventions as a tool for improving pharmacy-based naloxone practices in other states. ⋯ A multi-pronged approach coupling state and community collaboration was successful in overcoming barriers and challenges associated with pharmacy naloxone distribution and ensured its success as an effective avenue for naloxone acquisition in urban and rural communities.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Mar 2017
Trends in naloxone prescriptions prescribed after implementation of a National Academic Detailing Service in the Veterans Health Administration: A preliminary analysis.
To evaluate the effects of the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VA) National Academic Detailing Service alongside the Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program on naloxone prescriptions prescribed from October 2014 to September 2016. ⋯ This preliminary analysis provides the first evidence that academic detailing influenced naloxone prescribing rates in a large, integrated health care system at 1 and 2 years. In addition, AD-exposed providers had a higher average difference in naloxone prescribing rate compared with AD-unexposed providers after 2 years of follow-up.
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The opioid overdose epidemic continues to claim the lives of tens of thousands of Americans every year. Increased access to the opioid antagonist naloxone can reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. In this commentary, we describe several recent legal innovations designed to encourage pharmacists to ensure that naloxone is available when and where it is needed, and dispel some common misconceptions regarding potential legal risks associated with pharmacy naloxone dispensing. ⋯ Pharmacists are key members of the health care team and are uniquely situated to reduce potential opioid overdose risk. Pharmacists should be aware of and utilize innovative state laws designed to increase access to naloxone.
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To describe the 3-pronged approach taken by a large national retail pharmacy chain to address the opioid epidemic and associated overdoses. ⋯ The availability of safe drug-disposal kiosks, naloxone dispensing at pharmacies, and patient education are key prevention initiatives to address the opioid epidemic and reduce the increasing national burden of opioid overdose. Early results are quantitatively and qualitatively promising.