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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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.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Mar 2017
Pharmacists' role in opioid overdose: Kentucky pharmacists' willingness to participate in naloxone dispensing.
To assess pharmacists' willingness to initiate the dispensing of naloxone. As of 2015, Kentucky law permits certified pharmacists to dispense naloxone under a physician-approved protocol. ⋯ Kentucky pharmacists are divided in their willingness to initiate naloxone dispensing; however, those who are confident in their ability to identify overdose risks are more willing. Increasing pharmacist confidence through appropriately designed education programs could facilitate pharmacist participation in naloxone dispensing.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Mar 2017
Development and delivery of a pharmacist training program to increase naloxone access in Kentucky.
To describe the development and delivery of a comprehensive training program for Kentucky pharmacists to enable dispensation of naloxone per protocol. ⋯ The swift deployment of training to a wide variety of pharmacy professionals has resulted in a substantial number of naloxone-certified pharmacists across Kentucky. Through a coordinated training initiative involving all major pharmacy stakeholders, we reached many individuals rapidly, documenting the value of this approach for future training endeavors. This educational initiative may enhance pharmacy practice across Kentucky and the nation by expanding and educating on the role pharmacists can play in public health and overdose death prevention.