title: Implementing take-home naloxone in an urban community pharmacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Morbidity and mortality associated with opioid use have increased across the nation, growing into what can only be described as an epidemic.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Washington State between 2002 and 2004, the statewide death rate attributed to any opioid was 6.6 per 100,000 people, but between 2011 and 2013 it increased to 8.6 per 100,000 people. Pharmacies provide a unique access point for harm reduction services to patients due to their ease of accessibility in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  In development of a take-home naloxone (THN) program, there were multiple areas that needed to be considered. These included product selection, collaborative practice agreements, training format and materials, managing patient and provider expectations, partnerships, and community perception of the service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initial demographics from our experience of people obtaining THN showed a significant difference in the median age from other available programs in the area (57 years vs. 34, 35, and 31). These people tended to be bystanders, instead of end users of opioids, which led to redirecting marketing of our program. We provided community and group trainings for various organizations around the greater Seattle area. We have trained approximately 1400 unique individuals on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer naloxone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One organization reports 20 successful overdose rescues from 99 kits (100% intranasal route) dispensed by our pharmacy (20.2% rescue rate).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 2012 when our THN program began, we have seen growth of these programs across the state. Based on data through 2015, deaths from heroin in King County have decreased for the first time in the last 7 years, and the number of people seeking treatment for heroin addiction has increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Take-home naloxone programs can be successfully implemented into community pharmacies to increase access and awareness of opioid overdose recognition and response.
authors.forename: Joshua L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Akers
authors.forename: Ryan N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ryan D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Oftebro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; 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; D016730:Program Development; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone