The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation (NACDS Foundation) announced today publication of a study that shows pharmacies can be effective healthcare settings for identifying, educating, and supporting linkage to treatment for people at-risk of opioid and other substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly in medically underserved and under-researched communities.
Published in Public Health Reports, the study – “Project Lifeline–II: Feasibility of Implementing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania” – assessed the feasibility of implementing SBIRT in 17 pharmacies in an urban county (Allegheny County) with a specific focus on engagement, reach, and equity across the continuum of pharmacy screening and care. SBIRTs are intended to identity individuals with elevated risk for substance abuse or SUDs and to connect them with appropriate resources and supports.
According to the CDC, “in 2022, more than one in six Americans aged 12 or older reported experiencing a SUD. With effective treatment, recovery is possible for everyone.”[1] The study, funded by the NACDS Foundation and led by researchers from University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, RTI International, and UPMC Health Plan, resulted in findings that suggest that implementing SBIRT in a pharmacy setting may be an effective means of expanding treatment and recovery outreach efforts to medically underserved and under-researched communities. A previous Project Lifeline study, including one with eight pharmacies in Blair County, Pennsylvania, suggested high participation rates in the screenings in rural communities. This latest study indicates similar opportunities for pharmacies in urban communities.
“Improving the access and health outcomes for people who are at-risk and have substance use disorders, has always been a priority for UPMC Health Plan,” said Chronis Manolis, R. Ph., Chief Pharmacy Officer at UPMC Health Plan. “This study shows the benefits of engaging local pharmacists as part of the health care team to support healthy outcomes for our members.”
NACDS Foundation President Sara E. Roszak, DrPH, MPH said, “The NACDS Foundation prioritizes research that can help transform traditional care delivery models. These research findings are yet another example of how communities benefit from the unique and personalized care provided by local pharmacies, and from innovative partnerships committed to improving health outcomes.”
Patients aged 18 years or older receiving a schedule II or III opioid prescription at participating community pharmacies in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, were invited to engage in SBIRT as part of Project Lifeline–II from June 2020 through January 2023. Pharmacy team members asked all eligible patients for permission to provide SBIRT services, and patients were given the right to refuse any or all services. Almost eighty percent of adults asked to participate were screened at least once – demonstrating results comparable to participation rates in the rural-based studies.
Project Lifeline-I studied implementing SBIRT to help support access to screening and linkage to care for substance use disorders in rural pharmacies.
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[1] Treatment of Substance Use Disorders | Overdose Prevention | CDC
