Facilitating Buprenorphine Access Through Pharmacist Peer Outreach

ABSTRACT Project Goal: The goal of this project to develop and test a tailored educational intervention to increase dispensing of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Kentucky. Strategy: We will conduct pharmacist focus groups in the highest and lowest buprenorphine dispensing Appalachian Kentucky counties. Using these findings, we will develop continuing education to remove barriers in the lowest dispensing counties. Education will use a survey evaluating pharmacist behavior drivers to systematically evaluate the effect on stocking and dispensing. Outcomes: This project will create a positive impact by providing provide a framework to modify pharmacist behavior, reducing a critical barrier to treatment for opioid use disorder. Need/Problem Being Addressed: Less than 40% of patients with OUD receive treatment, and substantial effort has been spent to increase buprenorphine prescribing for OUD. Unfortunately, half of pharmacies may not fill a buprenorphine prescription. Existing research suggests a myriad of reasons why but offers few evidence-based solutions to improve buprenorphine dispensing.