Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by community pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain

Joe Schofield*, Tessa Parkes, Fiona Mercer, Rebecca Foster, Kristina Hnízdilová , Catriona Matheson, Wez Steele, Andrew McAuley, Fiona Raeburn, Lucy Skea, Alexander Baldacchino

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

There have been increases in prescriptions of high strength opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), but CNCP patients perceive themselves as being at low risk of opioid overdose and generally have limited overdose awareness. This study examined how an overdose prevention intervention (opioid safety education, naloxone training, and take-home naloxone (THN)) delivered by community pharmacists for patients prescribed high-strength opioids for CNCP would work in practice in Scotland. Twelve patients received the intervention. CNCP patients and Community Pharmacists were interviewed about their experiences of the intervention and perceptions of its acceptability and feasibility. CNCP patients did not initially perceive themselves as being at risk of overdose but, through the intervention, developed insight into opioid-related risk and the value of naloxone. Pharmacists also identified patients' low risk perceptions and low overdose awareness. While pharmacists had positive attitudes towards the intervention, they outlined challenges in delivering it under time and resource pressures and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overdose prevention interventions are required in the CNCP population as this group has elevated risk factors for overdose but are commonly overlooked. Customised overdose prevention interventions for CNCP patients attend to gaps in overdose awareness and risk perceptions in this population.
Original languageEnglish
Article number88
Number of pages17
JournalPharmacy
Volume11
Issue number3
Early online date22 May 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • community pharmacists
  • opioid overdose risk
  • chronic non-cancer pain
  • prescription opioids
  • overdose prevention
  • overdose intervention
  • naxolone

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