Screening tools for detecting problematic opioid use and potential application to community pharmacy practice: a...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Pharmacy Practice

Background:

• Problematic opioid use, encompassing misuse and use disorders, is a growing public health concern in the US, linked to increased morbidity and mortality.
• Drug overdose deaths rose over 11% between 2014 and 2015, highlighting the urgent need for broader identification strategies in healthcare settings.
• Community pharmacies offer a unique, accessible setting for identifying and intervening with patients exhibiting problematic opioid use patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and identify screening tools and strategies for detecting problematic opioid use within community pharmacy settings.
• To provide an overview of available resources that can be adapted by pharmacies to address the opioid crisis.
• To inform future research directions regarding pharmacy-based interventions for problematic opioid use.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify screening tools applicable to community pharmacy practice.
• Prescription drug monitoring systems were considered as a complementary resource for identifying problematic opioid use.
• The review focused on tools and strategies that can be implemented in real-world community pharmacy workflows.

Main Results:

• A total of 12 distinct screening tools were identified for potential use in community pharmacies.
• The review highlights various strategies that can be employed by pharmacists to identify and potentially intervene in cases of problematic opioid use.
• Adaptability of tools and strategies to specific pharmacy settings and local needs is emphasized.

Conclusions:

• Community pharmacies are well-positioned to play a significant role in identifying patients with problematic opioid use.
• The identified screening tools and strategies offer practical resources for pharmacists to address the opioid crisis.
• Further research is needed to evaluate pharmacy personnel's knowledge, optimal tool selection, workflow integration, and the clinical impact of pharmacist-led interventions.