Community pharmacists' naloxone counseling: A theory-informed qualitative study

Opioid-related overdose (ORO) deaths have reached a record high in the United States. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Pharmacists are in an ideal position to provide naloxone and related counseling, given their accessibility and expertise. However, minimal research is available on community pharmacists' naloxone counseling.

The aim of this study was to investigate Georgia community pharmacists' naloxone counseling as well as explore their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward counseling.

Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to elicit pharmacists' beliefs and practices regarding naloxone counseling. The interviews were guided by open-ended questions based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Thematic analysis was performed to identify the modal salient beliefs expressed by the pharmacists. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was used to report the study findings.

A total of 12 community pharmacists participated. Pharmacists held mixed attitudes toward naloxone counseling. While they recognized it as a vital part of their profession to prevent ORO deaths, they also expressed concerns about offending patients. Regarding normative beliefs, pharmacists identified several groups, including regulatory agencies (e.g., Board of Pharmacy, CDC), managers, news/media, patients, and doctors, influencing their provision of naloxone counseling. Facilitators to counseling included receiving naloxone training and having access to counseling guidelines and resources. Reimbursement issues, high costs of naloxone, and lack of patient awareness were the most commonly cited barriers. Pharmacists reported participating in counseling and providing information on identifying signs of opioid overdose and administering naloxone.

The TPB is a useful framework for understanding community pharmacists' beliefs and practices regarding naloxone counseling. Capitalizing on facilitators and targeting barriers related to pharmacists' reimbursement issues, high costs of naloxone, and increasing patients' awareness of naloxone use and benefits may enhance pharmacists' naloxone counseling.