Lucas G Hill1, Lindsey J Loera2, Sorina B Torrez2, Talia Puzantian3, Kirk E Evoy2, Daniel J Ventricelli4, Heidi N Eukel5, Alyssa M Peckham6, Clement Chen7, Valerie S Ganetsky8, Megan S Yeung2, Claire M Zagorski2, Kelly R Reveles2. 1. The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, 2409 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: lucas.hill@austin.utexas.edu. 2. The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, 2409 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78712, USA. 3. Keck Graduate Institute, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 535 Watson Drive, Claremont, CA 91711, USA. 4. University of the Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 600 S 43rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. 5. North Dakota State University, School of Pharmacy, 1340 Administration Ave., Fargo, ND 58102, USA. 6. Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. 7. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07103, USA. 8. Cooper University Health Care, Center for Healing, 800 Cooper St., Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prompt access to prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone films (BUP/NX) and naloxone nasal spray (NNS) is vital for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), but multiple studies have documented pharmacy-level barriers. METHODS: A cross-sectional secret shopper telephone audit was conducted in a sample of 5734 actively licensed pharmacies in 11 U.S. states from May 2020-April 2021. Primary outcomes included availability of 14 generic BUP/NX 8/2 mg and one unit of NNS 4 mg. Outcomes were compared by pharmacy type, county metropolitan status, state Medicaid expansion status, and state drug overdose death rate. RESULTS: Data from 4984 pharmacies (3402 chain and 1582 independent) were analyzed. Both medications were available in 41.2 % of pharmacies, BUP/NX was available in 48.3%, and NNS was available in 69.5%. Chain pharmacies were significantly more likely than independent pharmacies to have both medications available, to have each medication available individually, and to be willing to order BUP/NX. Pharmacies in metropolitan counties were more likely to have BUP/NX available than pharmacies in non-metropolitan counties, pharmacies in Medicaid expansion states were more likely to have both medications available and to have NNS available than pharmacies in non-expansion states, and pharmacies in states with high drug overdose death rates were more likely to have NNS available than pharmacies in states with low drug overdose death rates. CONCLUSIONS: BUP/NX and NNS are not readily accessible in many U.S. pharmacies. Deficits in access are most pronounced in independent pharmacies, though county- and state-level factors may also influence availability of these essential medications.
BACKGROUND: Prompt access to prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone films (BUP/NX) and naloxone nasal spray (NNS) is vital for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), but multiple studies have documented pharmacy-level barriers. METHODS: A cross-sectional secret shopper telephone audit was conducted in a sample of 5734 actively licensed pharmacies in 11 U.S. states from May 2020-April 2021. Primary outcomes included availability of 14 generic BUP/NX 8/2 mg and one unit of NNS 4 mg. Outcomes were compared by pharmacy type, county metropolitan status, state Medicaid expansion status, and state drug overdose death rate. RESULTS: Data from 4984 pharmacies (3402 chain and 1582 independent) were analyzed. Both medications were available in 41.2 % of pharmacies, BUP/NX was available in 48.3%, and NNS was available in 69.5%. Chain pharmacies were significantly more likely than independent pharmacies to have both medications available, to have each medication available individually, and to be willing to order BUP/NX. Pharmacies in metropolitan counties were more likely to have BUP/NX available than pharmacies in non-metropolitan counties, pharmacies in Medicaid expansion states were more likely to have both medications available and to have NNS available than pharmacies in non-expansion states, and pharmacies in states with high drug overdose death rates were more likely to have NNS available than pharmacies in states with low drug overdose death rates. CONCLUSIONS: BUP/NX and NNS are not readily accessible in many U.S. pharmacies. Deficits in access are most pronounced in independent pharmacies, though county- and state-level factors may also influence availability of these essential medications.