Validation and Counseling of Prescriptions for Controlled Substances and Opioids

Patients may be prescribed controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes. These controlled substances include prescription opioids. Because of the risk for opioid misuse, addiction, and dependence, patients must be assessed for the appropriate therapeutic use of controlled substances, which, by definition, involves detecting when a prescription is not based on a legitimate medical purpose. In order to protect patients from the inappropriate use of controlled substances, clinicians must know the laws and rules related to the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances, the use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Database, and the protocols for addressing and resolving problems recognized during a drug utilization review. Patients must be educated on the proper storage and disposal of controlled substances. In the event of a suspected overdose, clinicians and patients must know how to treat an opioid overdose, which includes standing orders for naloxone. Finally, pharmacists are particularly situated to counsel patients with opioid prescriptions and guide them toward available treatment resources for opioid physical dependence, addiction, or misuse.