Tools for Community-Based Pharmacist Patient Care Services to Support Optimal Opioid Use

Current opioid use challenges and the subsequent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain” have tremendously influenced the trajectory of pain management. While focused on primary care providers, the guidelines specifically acknowledge the need for interprofessional, integrative care involving collaboration amongst pain management clinicians, behavioral health specialists, and pharmacists to optimize opioid use.(1) However, aside from looking for “red flags” in filling prescriptions, specific guidance to direct widespread pharmacist involvement is lacking. There is also currently limited data and information on how pharmacists can best aid in this public health issue. In this commentary, we describe tools and practices used in pain management and provide suggestions for incorporation into community pharmacy practice to enable pharmacists to contribute to optimal opioid use.