by Hanna Uosukainen, J. Simon Bell, Kirsti Laitinen, Ulrich Tacke, Jenni Ilomäki, Juha H.O. Turunen
Abstract:
Background Finnish community pharmacies have been permitted to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone since February 2008. This study explored the dispensing practices, service experiences, problems encountered and opportunities for future development. Methods In August 2011, a questionnaire was mailed to all Finnish community pharmacies dispensing buprenorphine-naloxone (n&xa0;=&xa0;69). Results Sixty-four pharmacies responded (93%), of which 54 had dispensed buprenorphine-naloxone to 155 clients since 2008. Forty-eight pharmacies had 108 current clients (10% of all buprenorphine-naloxone clients in Finland). Overall satisfaction with buprenorphine-naloxone dispensing was high, with all respondents indicating dispensing had gone ‘well’ or ‘very well’. Fourteen pharmacies (26%) had experienced one or more problems, predominately in relation timing or non-collection of doses. Problems were more common in pharmacies with more than one buprenorphine-naloxone client (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.86). Most pharmacies (n&xa0;=&xa0;43, 80%) identified opportunities for improvement, including the need for more education and financial remuneration. Forty-six pharmacies (85%) were willing to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone to more clients; however, 43 pharmacies (80%) perceived that supervision of buprenorphine-naloxone dosing is not a suitable task for pharmacists in Finland. Conclusion Provision of buprenorphine-naloxone in Finnish community pharmacies has remained relatively small-scale. As experiences have been generally positive and problems rare, it may be possible to expand these services.
Reference:
First insights into community pharmacy based buprenorphine-naloxone dispensing in Finland (Hanna Uosukainen, J. Simon Bell, Kirsti Laitinen, Ulrich Tacke, Jenni Ilomäki, Juha H.O. Turunen), In International Journal of Drug Policy, volume 24, no. 5, 2013.AbstractBackground Finnish community pharmacies have been permitted to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone since February 2008. This study explored the dispensing practices, service experiences, problems encountered and opportunities for future development. Methods In August 2011, a questionnaire was mailed to all Finnish community pharmacies dispensing buprenorphine-naloxone (n&xa0;=&xa0;69). Results Sixty-four pharmacies responded (93%), of which 54 had dispensed buprenorphine-naloxone to 155 clients since 2008. Forty-eight pharmacies had 108 current clients (10% of all buprenorphine-naloxone clients in Finland). Overall satisfaction with buprenorphine-naloxone dispensing was high, with all respondents indicating dispensing had gone ‘well’ or ‘very well’. Fourteen pharmacies (26%) had experienced one or more problems, predominately in relation timing or non-collection of doses. Problems were more common in pharmacies with more than one buprenorphine-naloxone client (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.86). Most pharmacies (n&xa0;=&xa0;43, 80%) identified opportunities for improvement, including the need for more education and financial remuneration. Forty-six pharmacies (85%) were willing to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone to more clients; however, 43 pharmacies (80%) perceived that supervision of buprenorphine-naloxone dosing is not a suitable task for pharmacists in Finland. Conclusion Provision of buprenorphine-naloxone in Finnish community pharmacies has remained relatively small-scale. As experiences have been generally positive and problems rare, it may be possible to expand these services.KeywordsOpioid substitution treatment ()
Bibtex Entry:
@article{Uosukainen2013492,
title = "First insights into community pharmacy based buprenorphine-naloxone dispensing in Finland ",
journal = "International Journal of Drug Policy ",
volume = "24",
number = "5",
pages = "492 - 497",
year = "2013",
note = "",
issn = "0955-3959",
doi = "http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.02.004",
url = "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395913000169",
author = "Hanna Uosukainen and J. Simon Bell and Kirsti Laitinen and Ulrich Tacke and Jenni Ilomäki and Juha H.O. Turunen",
keywords = "Buprenorphine-naloxone",
keywords = "Community pharmacy",
keywords = "Opioid substitution treatment ",
abstract = "Background Finnish community pharmacies have been permitted to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone since February 2008. This study explored the dispensing practices, service experiences, problems encountered and opportunities for future development. Methods In August 2011, a questionnaire was mailed to all Finnish community pharmacies dispensing buprenorphine-naloxone (n = 69). Results Sixty-four pharmacies responded (93%), of which 54 had dispensed buprenorphine-naloxone to 155 clients since 2008. Forty-eight pharmacies had 108 current clients (10% of all buprenorphine-naloxone clients in Finland). Overall satisfaction with buprenorphine-naloxone dispensing was high, with all respondents indicating dispensing had gone ‘well’ or ‘very well’. Fourteen pharmacies (26%) had experienced one or more problems, predominately in relation timing or non-collection of doses. Problems were more common in pharmacies with more than one buprenorphine-naloxone client (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.86). Most pharmacies (n = 43, 80%) identified opportunities for improvement, including the need for more education and financial remuneration. Forty-six pharmacies (85%) were willing to dispense buprenorphine-naloxone to more clients; however, 43 pharmacies (80%) perceived that supervision of buprenorphine-naloxone dosing is not a suitable task for pharmacists in Finland. Conclusion Provision of buprenorphine-naloxone in Finnish community pharmacies has remained relatively small-scale. As experiences have been generally positive and problems rare, it may be possible to expand these services. "
}