A pilot study surveying the impact of pharmacist-led counseling on naloxone dispensing.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist counseling on patients purchasing naloxone and to highlight reasons for naloxone purchase refusal.

Design: A multisite study that was conducted from September 15, 2022, to January 11, 2023.

Setting: Independent community pharmacies.

Patients/participants: Fifty patients met inclusion criteria. Data collected included demographics, preintervention knowledge assessment, post-intervention naloxone purchase, and reasons for naloxone refusal.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome was naloxone purchase after pharmacist education intervention. The secondary outcome was reasons for naloxone purchase refusal.

Results: The primary outcome showed that 60 percent of patients purchased naloxone after pharmacist intervention. As a secondary outcome, the number of patients who refused to purchase naloxone was 20 percent, with the majority of patients expressing that naloxone was not necessary as a reason for refusal.

Conclusion: More studies are needed in order to conclude the impact of pharmacist education on the increasing purchase of naloxone.