Pharmacists' and technicians' perceptions and attitudes toward dispensing buprenorphine/ naloxone to patients with opioid dependence.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the perceptions and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians involved in an office-based opioid dependence treatment program using buprenorphine/naloxone.


METHODS
Cross-sectional attitudinal assessment.


METHODS
Community, outpatient hospital, and clinic pharmacies.


METHODS
Pharmacists and technicians participating in a clinical trial of opioid dependence treatment using buprenorphine/naloxone.


METHODS
Written and telephone surveys followed by interviews with open-ended items.


METHODS
Attitudes and perceptions regarding opioid-dependent patients and use of buprenorphine/naloxone for treatment of opioid dependence.


RESULTS
Pharmacies in seven states (New York, Virginia, Illinois, Florida, Texas, California, and Washington) participated in the clinical trial. A total of 40 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians responded to the initial written survey, representing 27 of the 32 pharmacies (84%). Follow-up interviews were obtained from one individual at 30 of those pharmacies (93.8%). Most pharmacy personnel (77.5%) involved with this study were not more concerned about theft or break-ins and would be willing to participate in opioid dependence treatment as the medication became available commercially (70%). The majority of respondents (85%) indicated that patients did not cause problems at their pharmacies. Compared with their experiences in administering other narcotic medications, most respondents did not express increased concern regarding prescription forgery (75%) or diversion (80%) of buprenorphine/naloxone.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of respondents expressed positive attitudes and perceptions regarding patients treated for opioid dependence with buprenorphine/naloxone.
Raisch
Dennis W
DW
Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program, Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA. dennis.raisch@csp.research.med.va.gov
Fudala
Paul J
PJ
Saxon
Andrew J
AJ
Walsh
Robert
R
Casadonte
Paul
P
Ling
Walter
W
Johnson
Bankole A
BA
Malkerneker
Usha
U
Ordorica
Patricia
P
Williford
William O
WO
Sather
Mike R
MR
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010465:Perception; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000145:classification; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010596:Pharmacy Technicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D004338:Drug Combinations; D009270:Naloxone; D002047:Buprenorphine