Moderator: Anne L. Burns, RPh, Vice President, Professional Affairs, American Pharmacists Association, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board

CE Certified By: AMA, AAFP, ACPE, ADA, ANCC, APA, MCHES, NAADAC, NASW, NBCC

Opioid medications have been a common treatment for chronic pain in the past decade. However, a dramatic rise in opioid misuse and overdoses is leading to new approaches to pain management, more rigorous monitoring of opioid use, and an increase in medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder. Careful medication selection and monitoring are crucial components of chronic pain management and MAT, which can be enhanced through collaborations between pharmacists and physicians. In this session, successful strategies for pharmacists to collaborate with physicians and the rest of the health care team will be explored.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Identify mechanisms for collaboration between pharmacists and prescribers in providing chronic pain management and medication assisted treatment services.
- Describe effective communication strategies between pharmacists and prescribers to optimize care and minimize patient risk.
- Outline policies around PDMP use and other mechanisms being used to manage risk and diversion and support appropriate medication use.
- Discuss involvement of pharmacists and physicians in community coalitions.