The Importance of Pharmacists in OTC Counseling Amid Opioid Crisis

With significant misuse of opioids persisting in the US, it’s more important than ever for the pharmacy team to work together in ensuring patients properly use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.

“You know the old potato chip commercials, ‘Oh, you're not full, eat another one.’ That's not the same with medicine, obviously,” said Mark Garofoli, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, CPE, CTTS. “But when we balance everything going on in the world, yes, there's still an opioid crisis out there. It's evolving, but there's things of concern when it comes to over-the-counter pain medicines too, whether it's acetaminophen, whether it's [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].”

Garofoli is a clinical assistant professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and is a certified expert in pain management. He caught up with Drug Topics to discuss the use of OTC pain medications and how the public’s perspective of them has changed since the opioid epidemic.

Ultimately, pharmacists are the authority on both OTC and prescription medications. They are the most accessible players on any health care team as well, providing a necessary resource for patients among misinformation and other barriers to proper OTC use. Watch this video to gain more insights on the opioid epidemic from a pharmacist most known for pain management.

Stay tuned for the full-length version of our discussion with Garofoli on this week’s episode of Over the Counter posting on Drug Topics this Thursday afternoon.

READ MORE: Pharmacist Counseling ‘Paramount’ in Use of OTC Pain Medications

Pharmacy practice is always changing. Stay ahead of the curve: Sign up for our free Drug Topics newsletter and get the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips, straight to your inbox.