Opioid overdose deaths in the United States have risen dramatically in the last decade, largely driven by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Naloxone, a mu-opioid receptor antagonist, rapidly and safely reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Increased access to naloxone has been identified by the US DHHS and the Surgeon General as a key initiative for reducing opioid overdose deaths. However, less than 1 in10 patients who could benefit from naloxone have access to this life-saving antidote. Healthcare professionals can lead the way toward closing the naloxone access gap.

This activity provides participants with data describing opioid-related harms in the United States, discuss cutting-edge public health and pharmacy-driven initiatives for increasing access to naloxone, and identify key research findings that pertain to strategies for identifying patients at risk for unintentional overdose and increasing access to life-saving harm reduction interventions.

At the conclusion of this continuing education activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe barriers to naloxone access and alternative distribution models in the United States.
2. Evaluate current strategies to expand access to naloxone, naloxone devices, and proposed alternative models.
3. Develop patient care strategies for increasing access to naloxone andother harm-reduction resources

AchieveCE is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

AchieveCE is an approved provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. GNA Approved Provider Number is 4003268. AchieveCE is an approved provider from July 14, 2022 to July 14, 2025.

  Level 2. Basic Application of Skills and Concepts