Pharmacist Resources

A variety of materials are available that offer advice for pharmacists on combating prescription drug abuse. The Kansas State Board of Pharmacy published “Drug Disposal and the Pharmacists Role” in the March 2011 edition of its newsletter. The Oregon Board of Pharmacy surveyed over 4,800 Oregon pharmacists to assess pharmacists’ perceptions of their working environments as it affects safe practices. The Board shared the results, 2011 Oregon Board of Pharmacy Pharmacist Working Conditions Survey, (PDF) at the NABP 108th Annual Meeting, May 19-22, 2012. Additionally, the National Institute on Drug Abuse created “Preventing and Recognizing Prescription Drug Abuse” for pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers.

The prescription drug abuse epidemic has led to an increase in dangerous pharmacy robberies. RxPATROL (Pattern Analysis Tracking Robberies and Other Losses) is designed to gather and disseminate critical information to help protect pharmacists, guard against potential robberies, and assist law enforcement in their efforts to successfully apprehend and prosecute those involved in controlled substance pharmacy crime. RxPATROL is an initiative designed to collect, collate, analyze, and disseminate pharmacy theft intelligence to law enforcement throughout the nation. It also provides tools to pharmacies such as a security checklist and online training videos discussing pharmacy safety and security.

The Health Care Professionals section of Rx Safety Matters provides information on education resources, combating pharmacy theft, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies and other topics for health care providers. Links to training videos and other educational materials are provided.

AWARXE has also created flyers about rogue Internet drug sites (PDF) and properly disposing of medications (PDF). These flyers can be distributed to patients.

Also, pharmacists can always feel free to contact their State Boards of Pharmacy for additional tips.

Federal Agency Resources

The following government agencies provide helpful information:

Drug Enforcement Administration
Food and Drug Administration
Environmental Protection Agency

Submit Suggestions

Suggestions for additional content, resources, or topics for the Pharmacists page are welcome and may be sent by e-mail to AWARERX@nabp.net.

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