A nationwide pharmacy chain responds to the opioid epidemic.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the 3-pronged approach taken by a large national retail pharmacy chain to address the opioid epidemic and associated overdoses.


METHODS
Large national retail pharmacy chain with more than 8200 stores in 50 states.


METHODS
Eight million customer interactions daily through in-store and digital settings. This is a company with a long history of responding to public health crises.


METHODS
Initiated 3 programs to respond to the opioid crisis: 1) provide safe medication disposal kiosks; 2) expand national access to naloxone; and 3) provide education on the risk and avoidance of opioid overdose. Used the RE-AIM framework to evaluate and enhance the quality, speed, and public health impact of the interventions.


RESULTS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
Early results are safe medication disposal kiosks in more than 43 states, naloxone-dispensing program in 33 states, and patient and support system education using the Opioid Overdose Toolkit from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The availability of safe drug-disposal kiosks, naloxone dispensing at pharmacies, and patient education are key prevention initiatives to address the opioid epidemic and reduce the increasing national burden of opioid overdose. Early results are quantitatively and qualitatively promising.
Emily
E
Shafer
Nyahne
N
Bergeron
Renae
R
Smith-Ray
Chester
C
Robson
Rachel
R
O'Koren
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; 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* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone