Enhancing the role of pharmacies in reducing opioid misuse and abuse in racial and ethnic minority and rural communities

The goal of this project is to understand how community pharmacies work collaboratively with patients to reduce the harm that opioid misuse can cause. Investigators are also seeking to understand what challenges community pharmacies face when trying to decrease harm from opioids by supporting safe use of opioid medications and access to medications for opioid use disorder treatment and opioid overdose reversal. Information gathering efforts are being focused on community pharmacies that serve racial and ethnic minority communities in rural areas. Triangle CERSI scientists are working collaboratively with the FDA to survey and interview pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, patients, and other community members to collect and analyze data needed to better understand community pharmacy challenges in these areas. Ultimately, investigators seek to explore effective ways to reduce the harm from opioid misuse among underserved communities.