Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by Community Pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain

Schofield, Joe; Parkes, Tessa; Mercer, Fiona; Foster, Rebecca; Hnízdilovà, Kristina; Matheson, Catriona; Steele, Wez; McAuley, Andrew; Raeburn, Fiona; Skea, Lucy; Baldacchino, Alexander

Abstract

There have been increases in the prescribing of high strength opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) but CNCP patients perceive themselves as being at low risk of opioid overdose and generally have limited overdose awareness. This study examined how an overdose prevention intervention (opioid safety education, naloxone training, and take-home naloxone (THN)) delivered by community pharmacists for patients prescribed high-strength opioids for CNCP would work in practice in Scotland. Twelve patients received the intervention. CNCP patients and Community Pharmacists were interviewed about their experiences of the intervention and per-ceptions of its acceptability and feasibility. CNCP patients did not initially perceive themselves as being at risk of overdose but, through the intervention, developed insight into opioid-related risk and the value of naloxone. Pharmacists also identified patients’ low risk perceptions and low overdose awareness. While pharmacists had positive attitudes towards the intervention, they outlined challenges in delivering it under time and resource pressures and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overdose prevention interventions are required in the CNCP population as this group has elevated risk factors for overdose but are commonly overlooked. Customised overdose prevention interventions for CNCP patients attend to gaps in overdose awareness and risk perceptions in this population.

Citation

Schofield, J., Parkes, T., Mercer, F., Foster, R., Hnízdilovà, K., Matheson, C., …Baldacchino, A. (2023). Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by Community Pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Pharmacy, 11(3), Article 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11030088

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: May 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 22, 2023
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 88
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11030088
• Keywords: community pharmacists; opioid overdose risk; chronic non-cancer pain; prescription opioids; overdose prevention; overdose intervention; naloxone