OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate access to, and barriers to accessing, naloxone at community pharmacies throughout Massachusetts following implementation of new legislation that requires all community pharmacies to maintain a sufficient supply for dispensing under a statewide standing order. DESIGN: From September 2018 through January 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional telephone-based survey of Massachusetts pharmacies by having an interviewer pose as a customer seeking naloxone. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community pharmacies were identified from a list of all actively licensed pharmacies provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and one-half were randomly selected for inclusion. Pharmacies that were permanently closed, duplicated on the list, or closed to the general public were excluded from analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of stocked naloxone, perceived need for identification or prescription, and pricing. RESULTS: Of the 524 pharmacies surveyed, 97.7% (n = 512) reported routinely stocking naloxone. Of those, 90.4% (n = 463) had naloxone in stock on the day of contact. Most pharmacies with naloxone in stock did not require a prescription (96.1%; n = 445); at these pharmacies, personal identification was required by 38.9% (n = 180). The average out-of-pocket naloxone nasal spray price was $128.34 ± $40.75. CONCLUSION: Nearly all Massachusetts community pharmacies routinely stock naloxone as required by state law; however, barriers remain regarding perceived need for identification and high out-of-pocket costs.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate access to, and barriers to accessing, naloxone at community pharmacies throughout Massachusetts following implementation of new legislation that requires all community pharmacies to maintain a sufficient supply for dispensing under a statewide standing order. DESIGN: From September 2018 through January 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional telephone-based survey of Massachusetts pharmacies by having an interviewer pose as a customer seeking naloxone. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Community pharmacies were identified from a list of all actively licensed pharmacies provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and one-half were randomly selected for inclusion. Pharmacies that were permanently closed, duplicated on the list, or closed to the general public were excluded from analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of stocked naloxone, perceived need for identification or prescription, and pricing. RESULTS: Of the 524 pharmacies surveyed, 97.7% (n = 512) reported routinely stocking naloxone. Of those, 90.4% (n = 463) had naloxone in stock on the day of contact. Most pharmacies with naloxone in stock did not require a prescription (96.1%; n = 445); at these pharmacies, personal identification was required by 38.9% (n = 180). The average out-of-pocket naloxone nasal spray price was $128.34 ± $40.75. CONCLUSION: Nearly all Massachusetts community pharmacies routinely stock naloxone as required by state law; however, barriers remain regarding perceived need for identification and high out-of-pocket costs.
Authors: Robin A Pollini; Susannah Slocum; Jenny Ozga; Rebecca Joyce; Ziming Xuan; Traci C Green; Alexander Y Walley Journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) Date: 2021-08-23
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Authors: Robin A Pollini; Rebecca Joyce; Jenny E Ozga-Hess; Ziming Xuan; Traci C Green; Alexander Y Walley Journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) Date: 2020-07-08
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