Purdue Pharma launches pharmacist awareness campaign around Butrans

STAMFORD, Conn. — A recent survey indicates that pharmacists in the United States wish they had better resource materials to help them counsel patients about prescription opioid medications. To help meet this need, Purdue Pharma has launched an awareness campaign to address specific knowledge gaps among pharmacists, including dose initiation, dose titration and application related to its Schedule III extended-release transdermal opioid, Butrans.

 

“As pharmacists, we take to heart our responsibility in helping to manage our patients and counsel them on safely using any prescription medications,” said American Pharmacists Association member, Michele Matthews. “These materials should help reinforce pharmacists’ confidence in their knowledge of Butrans, allowing them to provide their patients proper guidance.”

 

According to the online poll, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Purdue Pharma in February among 503 pharmacists, 95% of pharmacists said counseling patients about prescription opioid medications is an important part of their role as a pharmacist. However, 72% wish they had better resource materials to help them counsel patients about prescription opioid medications.

 

When it comes to Butrans, while 95% of the pharmacists polled have heard of the product, 28% said they were extremely or very familiar with it. Overall, 44% of pharmacists are only somewhat familiar with Butrans.

 

The survey also revealed that 46% of pharmacists who have heard of Butrans demonstrated a lack of knowledge around the proper starting dose for opioid-naïve or opioid-experienced patients. 

 

Purdue is working with the American Pharmacists Association to distribute a series of pharmacist resources, including a Pharmacist Brochure and Initiation and Titration Guide, which will reach more than 20,000 pharmacists, including APhA members, to help encourage productive pharmacist-patient interactions about Butrans including proper dosing, application, rotation and disposal and safety. 

 

Purdue also will present a webcast about Butrans in the coming weeks that will be housed at bit.ly/1w6SV14.

 

“Pharmacists are often the last healthcare professional with whom a patient interacts with before using a medication, so they have the potential to make an impact on patients’ quality of care, if given the necessary information on prescription medications and treatments,” said Lisa Miller, executive director of Healthcare Education and Liaison Programs at Purdue. "Purdue strongly believes it is imperative that we provide pharmacists with essential information about opioid therapies to improve their understanding and encourage appropriate use for their patients.”