Mapping Buprenorphine Access at Philadelphia Pharmacies.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Pharmacy-level barriers can hinder access to buprenorphine, a key medication for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Reliable stocking of buprenorphine by outpatient pharmacies is inconsistent, impacting patient care.
• Geographic and demographic disparities in medication access require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability and stocking practices of buprenorphine across outpatient pharmacies in Philadelphia.
• To identify variations in buprenorphine access based on pharmacy characteristics and geographic location.
• To develop a resource, a map application, to guide patients to pharmacies stocking buprenorphine.

Main Methods:

• A telephone survey was conducted with 422 outpatient pharmacies in Philadelphia regarding buprenorphine stocking and dispensing.
• Pharmacy data were linked with US Census Bureau ZIP code-level race and ethnicity data.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) software was used for data analysis and to create a map application.

Main Results:

• A response rate of 83% (351 pharmacies) was achieved.
• Sixty-eight percent of pharmacies regularly stock buprenorphine; 26% do not stock or order it.
• "Easier access" pharmacies (regularly stocking, dispensing to new patients, no dosage limits) were identified, with disparities noted between predominantly White and Black residential areas.

Conclusions:

• Buprenorphine access is inequitable across Philadelphia, with a significant proportion of pharmacies not stocking the medication.
• A developed map application can assist individuals in locating Philadelphia pharmacies that stock buprenorphine.
• Addressing pharmacy-level barriers is crucial for improving equitable access to OUD treatment.