The Science of Opioids: Evaluating New Therapies to Optimize Opioid Stewardship

The Science of Opioids: Evaluating New Therapies to Optimize Opioid Stewardship

Faculty

Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, DAIPM, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB
Founder, Remitigate LLC and Pharmacist Consulting Services PLLC 
Owner and Managing Editor, PainDr.com and Pain Blog
Adjunct Associate Professor, Western New England University College of Pharmacy
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice & Pain Management, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Section Co-Editor, Pain Medicine (Opioids, Substance Abuse, and Addictions)
Co-Editor-At-Large, Practical Pain Management
Albany, New York

Jeffrey J. Bettinger, PharmD
Pain Management Clinical Pharmacist
Saratoga Hospital Medical Group
Saratoga Springs, New York

Jacqueline H. Cleary, PharmD, BCACP
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, New York
 

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Activity Overview
The opioid epidemic has contributed to significant morbidity and mortality, with more than 50,000 deaths attributed to opioid overdose in the United States in 2019. Changing indications as well as novel formulations and routes of administration can affect clinician prescribing practices and optimize management for patients. As medication experts, pharmacists need to have a crucial understanding about the pharmacokinetic properties of opioids that allow them to determine the appropriateness of these newly approved and emerging agents as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Pharmacists within health systems have significant opportunities to collaborate with clinicians and participate in the development and implementation of opioid stewardship programs. This article will review essential elements of pharmacokinetics of new and emerging agents and available clinical data pharmacists can draw from to support the safe inclusion of opioids in potential health-system treatment algorithms.

Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

• Analyze the physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of opioids and how they relate to utilization and safety
• Examine the clinical data, safety, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of new and emerging opioids
• Optimize the integration of new opioids into practice and the role of the pharmacist in opioid stewardship

TARGET AUDIENCE: Pharmacists
ACTIVITY TYPE: Application
RELEASE DATE: December 23, 2020
EXPIRATION DATE: January 15, 2022
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE ACTIVITY: 2.0 hours
FEE: Free

ACPE Accreditation Statement
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 2.0 contact hours (0.20 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-20-388-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through January 15, 2022.

Instructions for Earning Credit
Begin the activity by reading the content in its entirety. Click “Proceed,” then complete the online pretest. Once completed, click “Next” until reaching the activity posttest. Complete the online posttest and activity evaluation form. After successfully completing the posttest and evaluation form, this information will be uploaded into CPE Monitor. You must complete these steps before the activity expires in order to receive your credit. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net.

NOTE: Your CE credit will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor.
Please ensure that your Pharmacy Times^® account is updated with your NABP e-profile ID number and your date of birth. Participation data will not be uploaded into CPE Monitor if you do not have your NABP e-profile ID number and date of birth entered into your profile on www.pharmacytimes.org.
 

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Disclosures
The following contributors have relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty
Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, DAIPM, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB
• Advisory Board: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, BioDelivery Sciences International, Daiichi Sankyo, GlaxoSmithKline, Hisamitsu America Inc, Human Half-Cell, Inc, Quest Diagnostics, Salix Pharmaceuticals
• Consultant: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, BioDelivery Sciences International, Daiichi Sankyo, Firstox Laboratories
• Speakers Bureau: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Salix Pharmaceuticals
• Other, Speaker: Abbott Laboratories, Acutis Diagnostics, Inc
• Other, Collaborative Presentations/Publications: GlaxoSmithKline, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Scilex Pharmaceuticals

Jeffrey J. Bettinger, PharmD
• Advisory Board: Hisamitsu America, Inc

Jacqueline H. Cleary, PharmD, BCACP
• Advisory Board: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc
• Speakers Bureau: Genomind

Medical Reviewer
Jayne Pawasauskas, PharmD, BCPS

• Consultant: Heron Therapeutics
• Speakers Bureau: Baudax Bio

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™
Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, CHCP; Ann Marciano; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters

Pharmacy Times^® Editorial Staff—Davy James

An anonymous peer reviewer was part of the content validation and conflict resolution and has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
Continuing professional education (CPE) activities sponsored by Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^TM are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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ceinfo@pharmacytimes.com
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