Survey of Opioid Stewardship Practices in American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) Pain Management and Palliative Care (PMPC) Pharmacy Residency Programs

摘要

Opioid analgesics, such as morphine and oxycodone, are frequently prescribed for pain management. Widespread prescribing and misinformation about the habit forming potential of opioids have contributed to the increase of preventable morbidity and mortality in the last two decades. This led to the declaration of a public health emergency in the United States in October of 2017 (1). Over 67,000 people died of drug overdose in 2018, with opioids being involved in 69.5% of them (2). The economic burden of prescription opioid abuse is also substantial, with approximately $78.5 billion per year being spent toward healthcare costs, addiction treatment, and criminal justice costs, among other expenses (2-3). The opioid epidemic has resulted in increased emphasis on stewardship practices within the healthcare system.