Dr. Melissa Durham Presents, “The Role of Pharmacists in the Safe Prescribing of Opioids,” at CHSU College of Pharmacy

CHSU had the pleasure of hosting Melissa J. Durham, PharmD, MACM, BCACP, DAAPM Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at USC School of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacist, The USC Pain Center on April 10, 2017 for a special Dean’s hour presentation.
The importance of Dr. Durham’s presentation titled, “The Role of Pharmacists in the Safe Prescribing of Opioids,” was evident with the over 95 students, faculty, and staff in attendance, including our collaborative partners Marisol Zamora from the Lock it Up and Central Valley Opioid Safety Coalition and Peggy Trueblood, PhD, PT, Chair, Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno.
The Learning Objectives from the presentation included:
– Describe current issues and trends related to prescription drug abuse and misuse
– Describe methods to assist in recognizing patients who are at risk for, or currently abusing opioids
– Discuss potential methods for reducing risk on the part of dispensers and prescribers when managing patients with pain
Dr. Durham highlighted some of the frightening statistics about Opioid abuse in our country.

• 91 people die each day in the U.S. from an opioid overdose
• Nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve an Rx opioid
• In 2015, nearly 15,000 people died from overdoses involving Rx opioids
• Most common Rxs involved are: Methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone
• In 2014 almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on Rx opioids
Source: www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/
Dr. Durham also educated the attendees about: Predictors of Abuse, Major Aberrant Drug-Taking Behaviors, CA Board-Identified “Red Flags,” Dichotomous Roles of Health Care Providers, Good Clinical Processes to Minimize Abuse Risk, and CDC Guidelines for Opioids.
 
There are several drug take back programs to help prevent the issue. April 29, 2017 is the DEA National Take-Back Initiative! For more information visit these websites:
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
CalRecycle
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/HomeHazWaste/Medications/Household.htm
Dispose My Meds
http://disposemymeds.edu/medicinedisposal-locator/