Protocol for the Optimizing Naloxone Dispensing in Pharmacies (ONDP) Online Continuing Education Program: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pharmacy Practice
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Opioid-related deaths in Canada have risen significantly, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Naloxone is critical for reducing opioid harms, with pharmacists playing a key role in its distribution.
• Current naloxone dispensing by pharmacists is suboptimal, with only 50% offering it in Ontario, despite national recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase Canadian pharmacy professionals' knowledge, confidence, and motivation to proactively offer naloxone.
• To decrease stigma associated with naloxone among pharmacy professionals.
• To identify effective behavior change techniques for improving naloxone offering practices in an online environment.

Main Methods:

• A delayed-start, double-blind randomized controlled trial involving Canadian licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• An intervention program with three modules focused on enhancing communication skills for proactive naloxone offering.
• A control group completing a reading assignment on naloxone consensus guidelines.

Main Results:

• The study will evaluate the effectiveness of behavior change techniques in improving pharmacists' confidence and motivation.
• Process and outcome evaluations, along with a contribution analysis, will be conducted.
• The research aims to identify barriers and knowledge gaps hindering proactive naloxone dispensing.

Conclusions:

• Findings will inform the development of a national naloxone education program for pharmacy professionals.
• The study will provide insights into implementing successful behavior change strategies in online pharmacy education.
• This initiative is expected to improve naloxone accessibility and contribute to reducing opioid-related mortality.