Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jul 2019
Implementation of a clinical tool to assess and address pain management requests in the pharmacy.
Morbidity and mortality associated with inappropriate use of over-the-counter combination analgesics containing codeine (OTC CACC) in Australia resulted in it being upscheduled in 2010 from "Pharmacy Only" (Schedule 2) to "Pharmacist Only" (Schedule 3), and further to "Prescription Only" (Schedule 4) in February 2018. There have been a number of concerns and challenges identified by community pharmacists in the provision of OTC CACC. In practice, sub-optimal management of patients accessing these medications has been demonstrated. To assist the management of patients using OTC CACC, the development of a management and referral pathway would be advantageous. ⋯ A number of pharmacists participating in the evaluation had never accessed either the online interactive or online PDF clinical tool, as they were not aware of them. Further research needs to be conducted into how to best promote and increase awareness of online clinical tools to pharmacists, especially younger pharmacists, and determine the best way to integrate online clinical tools effectively and efficiently into current practice.
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Res Social Adm Pharm · Jul 2019
Prescription opioid misuse and the need to promote medication safety among adolescents.
Misuse of prescription opioids and associated negative health outcomes is a leading public health crisis among adolescents in the US. Opioid prescription rates, misuse, and overdose deaths have increased among adolescents in the last twenty years. ⋯ Opportunities to enhance opioid medication safety among adolescents are frequently overlooked. A critical strategy to combat opioid misuse and overdose deaths among adolescents involves increasing awareness and knowledge about safe medication use.