Independent community pharmacists’ attitudes and intentions toward dispensing buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder

Zalmai, Rana; Hill, Lucas G.; Loera, Lindsey J.; Mosgrove, Quinn; Brown, Carolyn

doi:10.1016/j.japh.2023.06.010

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

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“…This apparent discrepancy is consistent with other research noting a discrepancy between pharmacists’ attitudes toward buprenorphine and intentions to dispense. 45 However one explanation for the contradictory findings may reflect the conflicting signals that pharmacists report regarding the “correct” decision, and regulations and policies that limit pharmacists’ perceived control over dispensing decisions. While pharmacists may perceive a general norm in favor of providing access to buprenorphine, such that less risk-tolerant pharmacists feel it is important to follow such a norm, this norm may be undercut by other messages regarding dispensing “red flags,” concerns about being flagged by suspicious order monitoring systems, 46 or local pharmacy policies that limit dispensing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships Between Stigma, Risk Tolerance, and Buprenorphine Dispensing Intentions Among Community-Based Pharmacists: Results From a National Sample

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Freeman

et al. 2024

Substance Use & Addiction Journal

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Background: Concerns have been raised that pharmacists sometimes act as barriers to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) accessing buprenorphine treatment. The present research explores how community pharmacists’ endorsement (vs non-endorsement) of stigmatizing beliefs about patients taking buprenorphine relate to intentions, comfort, and decisions regarding dispensing buprenorphine for OUD. In addition, we assessed attitudes toward risk in pharmacy practice as a novel correlate of dispensing intentions and decisions. Methods: A sample of 207 active community-based pharmacists practicing in the United States responded to survey items measuring stigma, risk tolerance, and intentions to dispense buprenorphine. The survey included 2 vignettes in which patients presented to the pharmacy with a prescription for buprenorphine, and respondents rated their comfort with dispensing and decisions regarding dispensing in the vignette. Results: Results suggest that both stigma toward patients taking buprenorphine to treat OUD and tolerance for risk in pharmacy settings are related to differences in pharmacists’ intentions to and willingness to dispense buprenorphine for OUD. Conclusions: Findings support the need for interventions to reduce stigma associated with buprenorphine use among pharmacists and suggest that risk tolerance is an important determinant of pharmacists’ behavior that merits further study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%