Study Results from Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy in the Area of Opioids Reported (The Role of Managed Care Pharmacy In Coprescribing Naloxone for Patients With Specific Risk: Recommendations From the Amcp Addiction Advisory Group): Opioids

2022 JAN 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Investigators publish new report on Opioids. According to news reporting originating in Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Prescription opioid misuse remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality associated with drug overdose. Researchers, government agencies, public health interests, and professional organizations support the benefits of naloxone coprescribing for patients on chronic opioid therapy to pre-vent deaths from opioid overdose.”

Financial support for this research came from Alkermes and Precision Toxicology.

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, “However, gaps remain in the provision of naloxone to patients at risk. Currently, less than 1% of patients who should be prescribed naloxone with their opioid medications obtain a prescription for naloxone, illustrating an opportunity for health care providers to conduct thorough risk assessments for patients taking opioids and coprescribing naloxone to those at risk. There are documented barriers to the provision of naloxone for primary care providers, pharmacists, and patients. Managed care organizations have also created barriers. To better understand and evaluate trends in treatment, coverage, policies, and needs associated with providing health services to patients with substance use disorders, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Addiction Advisory Group conducted a survey in 2019. Eighty percent of the managed behavioral health organizations and 47% of AMCP payer members who responded to the survey encouraged naloxone coprescribing in patients at high risk of overdose; however, no organizations require coprescribing. Health plans, managed care organizations, prescribers, pharmacists, patients, and others have important roles in decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdose. In particular, managed care organizations can take specific and meaningful actions to implement payment policies that improve naloxone coprescribing for patients at risk.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “In this article, opportunities have been outlined for managed care leadership that actively support public health policies for naloxone coprescribing, and 7 recommendations are presented.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: The Role of Managed Care Pharmacy In Coprescribing Naloxone for Patients With Specific Risk: Recommendations From the Amcp Addiction Advisory Group. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 2022;28(1):100-106. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy can be contacted at: Acad Managed Care Pharmacy, 100 N Pitt St, 400, Alexandria, VA 22314-3134, USA.

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Vyishali Dharbhamalla, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Alexandria, VA 22314, United States.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.1.100. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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