Are pharmacists on the front lines of the opioid epidemic? A cross-sectional study of the practices and competencies of community and hospital pharmacists in Punjab, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Countries are grappling with a rapidly worsening upsurge in the opioid-related overdose deaths, misuse and abuse. There is a dearth of data in Pakistan regarding the practices and competencies of pharmacists in handling opioid-related issues.

Study design

A cross-sectional study, conducted across Punjab, Pakistan.

Method

The study deployed a validated survey to evaluate the competencies and practices of the community and hospital pharmacists.

Results

504 community pharmacists and 279 hospital pharmacists participated in the survey with an overall response rate of 85.5%. Almost half of the respondents 'never' or 'sometimes' made clinical notes in a journal or dispensing software to monitor ongoing opioid use. Generally, pharmacists were reluctant to

SUBMITTER: Mubarak N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10668153 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature