Elle Pope, Victoria Ameral, Amanda Falcón, Jason Smith, Sarah J. Shoemaker-Hunt, Mark Bounthavong, Megan McCullough, Bo Kim
{"title":"Knowledge and attitudes regarding substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction practices among US pharmacists: A scoping review","authors":"Elle Pope, Victoria Ameral, Amanda Falcón, Jason Smith, Sarah J. Shoemaker-Hunt, Mark Bounthavong, Megan McCullough, Bo Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.japh.2025.102462","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address substance use disorders (SUDs) and expand harm reduction services due to their accessibility and expertise in medication management. However, attitudinal and structural barriers may limit their full potential in this role.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This scoping review examines pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and engagement in SUD treatment and harm reduction.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A scoping review was conducted using Levac et al.’s enhancement of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. A systematic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycInfo, Embase, ProQuest Health & Medical, and ProQuest Psychology was performed on August 3, 2024, yielding 87 articles addressing pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to SUD and harm reduction.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pharmacists generally acknowledge the efficacy of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) in reducing opioid-related mortality but often hold stigmatizing beliefs about individuals with SUDs. While supportive of harm reduction strategies, such as naloxone distribution and needle and syringe programs, engagement varies widely. Significant gaps in education and training persist, leaving pharmacists with limited confidence and practical experience in SUD care, despite their reported familiarity with MOUDs and naloxone pharmacology.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review highlights a complex interplay of support, barriers, and knowledge gaps shaping pharmacists' roles in SUD treatment and harm reduction. Targeted education, supportive policies, and interprofessional collaboration are crucial to enabling pharmacists to provide stigma-free, comprehensive care for individuals with SUDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50015,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the American Pharmacists Association","volume":"65 5","pages":"Article 102462"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of the American Pharmacists Association","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1544319125001414","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address substance use disorders (SUDs) and expand harm reduction services due to their accessibility and expertise in medication management. However, attitudinal and structural barriers may limit their full potential in this role.
Objective
This scoping review examines pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and engagement in SUD treatment and harm reduction.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted using Levac et al.’s enhancement of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. A systematic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycInfo, Embase, ProQuest Health & Medical, and ProQuest Psychology was performed on August 3, 2024, yielding 87 articles addressing pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to SUD and harm reduction.
Results
Pharmacists generally acknowledge the efficacy of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) in reducing opioid-related mortality but often hold stigmatizing beliefs about individuals with SUDs. While supportive of harm reduction strategies, such as naloxone distribution and needle and syringe programs, engagement varies widely. Significant gaps in education and training persist, leaving pharmacists with limited confidence and practical experience in SUD care, despite their reported familiarity with MOUDs and naloxone pharmacology.
Conclusion
This review highlights a complex interplay of support, barriers, and knowledge gaps shaping pharmacists' roles in SUD treatment and harm reduction. Targeted education, supportive policies, and interprofessional collaboration are crucial to enabling pharmacists to provide stigma-free, comprehensive care for individuals with SUDs.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of the American Pharmacists Association is the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), providing information on pharmaceutical care, drug therapy, diseases and other health issues, trends in pharmacy practice and therapeutics, informed opinion, and original research. JAPhA publishes original research, reviews, experiences, and opinion articles that link science to contemporary pharmacy practice to improve patient care.