title: The pharmacist's role in overdose: Using mapping technologies to analyze naloxone and pharmacy distribution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present preliminary research using geographic information system (GIS) mapping as a tool that can be integrated into pharmacy practice to increase access to and utilization of pharmacy-based interventions, including the distribution of naloxone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overdose death data was collected from medical examiner reports in an online database, and pharmacies carrying and distributing naloxone were determined by ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) in Allegheny County, PA. The distribution of overdose death rates was analyzed in relation to naloxone-carrying pharmacies and all licensed pharmacies in the county with the use of GIS mapping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-seven ZCTAs were included. Of 322 active licensed pharmacies, 28 pharmacies were confirmed to carry and distribute naloxone. The number of overdose deaths in ZCTAs that have naloxone-distributing pharmacies was significantly higher than the average number of deaths in all ZCTAs in Allegheny County: 7.38 deaths versus 4.84 deaths, respectively (P = 0.021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report illustrates the value of GIS mapping in monitoring the impact of overdose death prevention efforts, including the availability of naloxone in pharmacies. Analysis of these data over the next 5 years will provide valuable information on the potential impact of naloxone-distributing pharmacies on overdose rates, which, in turn, will inform pharmacists and pharmacy organizations on the value of carrying naloxone in pharmacies and inform local communities of its availability.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burrell
authors.forename: Laken
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ethun
authors.forename: Jaime Allen
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rickard-Aasen
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Janice L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pringle
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone