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i_opioidsubstance_2017a_2017-08-01t09:36:49z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 08/01/2017

Location: RM 271

Final

Role of Pharmacists in Dispensing Opioid Medications



OPIOID AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS


Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:02 AM -- Role of Pharmacists in Dispensing Opioid Medications



Dr. Jeff Lalama, representing the Colorado Pharmacists Society, presented a handout (Attachment B) and spoke about dispensing opioid prescriptions. He encouraged increasing the use of e-prescribing, integrating the PDMP with electronic health record software systems, limiting the days supplied for opioid prescriptions for the treatment of acute pain, and increasing public awareness of drug take-back programs. Dr. Lalama responded to questions regarding monitoring of pharmacy technicians, warning labels on opioids, and partial fill prescriptions.



17Opioid0801AttachB.pdf17Opioid0801AttachB.pdf



11:32 AM



Ky Davis, representing RX Plus Pharmacies, presented a handout to the committee (Attachment C) and described current initiatives to reduce opioid misuse in rural areas and to increase naloxone and suboxone training and use in rural pharmacies. Mr. Davis responded to committee questions.



17Opioid0801AttachC.pdf17Opioid0801AttachC.pdf



11:48 AM



Nikki Price and Lynn Stover, representing the Colorado Retail Chain Pharmacies, presented a handout to the committee (Attachment D). They discussed the role of chain pharmacies in preventing prescription drug diversion and abuse. They explained that chain pharmacies support a collaborative approach to curb abuse while preserving patient access to medically necessary pain medications. Many chain pharmacies have implemented zero-tolerance policies, loss prevention and internal security systems, and strict employment policies to ensure that prescription drugs are accounted for from distribution centers to the point of dispensing. They also encouraged the use of e-prescribing and limiting initial fills of controlled substance prescriptions.



17Opioid0801AttachD.pdf17Opioid0801AttachD.pdf



12:04 PM



The panelists responded to committee questions.








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