Expanding access to MOUD through pharmacist independent prescribing: Early findings from a community pharmacy-based...

Fewer than 1 in 5 patients with opioid use disorder are treated with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Idaho pharmacists have full practice authority and can independently provide preventative care and prescribe for acute and chronic conditions.

To assess the impact of a newly established MOUD service at a single rural, independent community pharmacy.

Medicine Man Prairie Pharmacy is a single-site independent pharmacy located in Hayden, Idaho that offers compounding, compliance packaging, immunizations, and point of care testing and treatment services in addition to dispensing.

Patients who present for the service are evaluated by the pharmacist in a one-on-one meeting (in-person or via telehealth) and therapy decisions are tailored to individual patients. When appropriate, buprenorphine is prescribed and frequency of patient visits is based on patient-specific factors. The pharmacy team provides close monitoring and a 7-day-a-week, after-hours response service for challenges that arise in order to help promote success.

A retrospective chart review was completed. All patients who were prescribed a buprenorphine-containing product for opioid use disorder by the pharmacist from August 2023 to September 2024 were included. Duration and type of care provided and financial and geographic impact were evaluated.

Sixty-five patients were included. The pharmacist-delivered service reduced out-of-pocket costs to patients and 69% of patients had newly established care with a primary care provider with whom they were regularly following up.

A pharmacist-run MOUD service found success decreasing patient out-of-pocket costs and improving continuity of care with primary care providers.