The Authors’ Own Words: Barriers and Facilitators to Dispensing of Intranasal Naloxone by Pharmacists

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Barriers and Facilitators to Dispensing of Intranasal Naloxone by Pharmacists

Ludmila N. Bakhireva, MD, PhD, MPH; Adriana Bautista, MD, MPH; Sandra Cano, MA; Shikhar Shrestha, BPharm, MS; Amy M. Bachyrycz, PharmD; & Theresa H. Cruz, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 39, Iss. 3, 2018

“This mixed-method study, conducted among New Mexico pharmacists, identified specific barriers and facilitators to dispensing intra-nasal naloxone (INN) and examined the association between these barriers/facilitators and the frequency of INN dispensing. Although New Mexico pharmacists had INN prescriptive authority for over two years and standing orders for more than four months at the time of the study, fewer than half of respondents had ever dispensed INN using either mechanism. One reason for these missed opportunities may be pharmacist concerns about dispensing INN, which were associated with decreased dispensing, even after controlling for other factors. The study also identified that system-level factors, such as supply, reimbursement, type of pharmacy practice, and support from managers, might be important contributors. This study identified a strong need for additional training/education for patients, caregivers, the general public, and pharmacists.”