This Podcast Series is about Pharmacists & Physicians collaborating on the proper & humane usage of pain managment strategies, the usage of opioids, and evidence-based medication therapy management practices. 

Each day, more than 130 people die from opioid overdoses. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone. They also include illegal drugs like heroin. In 2019, 1.6 million Americans had an opioid addiction. This is also known as opioid use disorder. Yet effective medications—like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone—are prescribed to only a fraction of people with opioid use disorder.

Patients often receive such medications in an opioid treatment program. Methadone, for example, can only be given in a certified treatment program. Primary care physicians can apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. However, less than 10% of U.S. primary care providers have a buprenorphine waiver. Given the limited number of patients that each physician can treat, involving pharmacists in opioid treatment may improve access.

Part two features Dr. Garofoli, pain management expert resource & Director of Experiential Learning Clinical Assistant Professor Clinical Pain Management Pharmacists position in the WVU Integrative Pain Management Center. We welcome Pharmacist Dave Morgan, with over 30 years of experience treating patients with pain and a returning executive from PROP - Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, Dr. Kolodyny. 

Today's Guests: 

Mark Garofoli PharmD

Clinical Assistant Professor WVU School of Pharmacy 

Andrew Kolodny, MD

Vice President, Federal Affairs, PROP

Dave Morgan, RPh

Safe Prescribing Consultant

Learn more at: http://www.supportprop.org/ 

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