What can individual pharmacy professionals do when there are many different causes of the opioid crisis?

There are many complex health, social and system factors that have contributed to this current crisis. However, this is a public health crisis that requires action on all fronts.

As medication experts, pharmacists are in a unique role to support the appropriate use and access to narcotic and other controlled drugs. They are also in a position to engage in collaboration with other health care professionals to enhance patient safety. Additionally, pharmacy professionals are often the most accessible healthcare providers for patients and so may have opportunities to develop and identify best practices and provide additional support and education around opioid issues.