APhA Policy Manual

Controlled Substances and Other Medications with the Potential for Abuse and Use of Opioid Reversal Agents

DRUG ABUSE, CONTROL AND EDUCATION EDUCATION, CURRICULUM AND COMPETENCE FOR PHARMACY PHARMACY PRACTICE

APhA supports education for pharmacists and student pharmacists to address issues of pain management, palliative care, appropriate use of opioid reversal agents in opioid-associated emergencies, drug diversion, and substance use disorders.
APhA supports recognition of pharmacists as the health care providers who must exercise professional judgment in the assessment of a patient’s conditions to fulfill corresponding responsibility for the use of controlled substances and other medications with the potential for misuse and/or diversion.
APhA supports pharmacists’ access to and use of prescription monitoring programs to identify and prevent drug misuse and/or diversion.
APhA supports the development and implementation of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies that permit pharmacists to independently prescribe opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emergencies.
APhA supports the pharmacist's role in selecting appropriate therapy and dosing and initiating and providing education about the proper use of opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emergencies.