Law and Ethics: Pharmacists' Roles in Opioid Crisis and Drug Diversion

This essay delves into the critical intersection of law and ethics within the context of the opioid crisis and drug diversion. It highlights the significant role pharmacists play in combating this public health issue. The essay emphasizes various strategies pharmacists can employ, including providing clear medication instructions, being vigilant against prescription falsification, developing hotlines for fraud detection, and utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to track opioid prescriptions. Furthermore, the essay outlines the necessary steps pharmacists must take when drug diversion occurs, such as contacting law enforcement and reporting to the Drug Enforcement Administration. It also references the 'ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances' to provide a comprehensive overview of best practices in this area.

Running head: LAW AND ETHICS 1
Law and Ethics
Student’s name
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Law and Ethics
Drug overdose is a public health risk, including the risk for the opioid crisis. It is
astonishing to note that every day, a substantial number of more than 130 individuals in the US
die due to opioids overdose (Volkow & Collins, 2017). This has continuously been the song in
America and pharmacists together with other practitioners, have decided to stand out to be
counted upon by initiating the strategy that will enhance combating the crisis. The various
positions that the technicians can have to support this initiative are several and are all aimed at
bringing a positive outcome among the drug users. Most importantly is for the pharmacist to
understand that they can help patients get the instructions clear for taking their medications
together with the state medication (National Institute on Drug Abuse, n.d.). Additionally, being
careful and attentive on falsifications of prescription or alterations, pharmacists can go ahead and
serve as the first line of protection in promoting appropriate prescription of drug and avoiding
problematic patterns and series of drug use prescription (Volkow & Collins, 2017). Also,
pharmacists can develop hotlines so that other pharmacists in the region can be alerted in the area
in case they detect or suspect any fraudulent prescription and finally, pharmacists along with the
physicians; they can incorporate the usage of PDMPs to assist track opioid- prescription and
patterns of dispensing in patients.
Drug diversion is another serious event that needs to be given utmost carefulness
otherwise the drugs would be in risk and shaky hands to potentially cause harm to a significant
number of people (Hulme, Bright, & Nielsen, 2018). In a situation where there is drug diversion,
it is essential first that as a pharmacist, you should call law enforcement agency in your locality.
This is the agency that will be required to finish the criminal investigation and eventually
perform a charge on someone in the court over such crime. Time is of the essence in reporting to

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the agency, especially when the person delivering the drugs is still on the job. Thus, catching the
person responsible before they leave the job would be the most prudent thing the law
enforcement can do. Additionally, as a pharmacist, you will be required to report the loss or theft
to the Drug Enforcement Administration office of the Diversion control straight away. The report
can be done either through the telephone call or us of facsimile.
According to "ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances"
(2017) There are a set of guidelines that are used to prevent drug diversion. It is imperative to
understand that the purpose of these guidelines is to help give guidance to health systems on
planning for and implementing appropriate practices when setting up a holistic CSDPP. These
guidelines include ‘procurement, preparation and dispensing, prescribing, administration, and
finally waste and removal.’

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References
ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances. (2017, March 1). Retrieved
from https://academic.oup.com/ajhp/article/74/5/325/5103352
Hulme, S., Bright, D., & Nielsen, S. (2018). The source and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs
for non-medical use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Drug and alcohol
dependence, 186, 242-256.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). How can prescription drug misuse be prevented?
Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-
prescription-drugs/how-can-prescription-drug-misuse-be-prevented
Volkow, N. D., & Collins, F. S. (2017). The role of science in addressing the opioid crisis. New
England Journal of Medicine, 377(4), 391-394.