Saving lives, restoring families, including by preventing unnecessary family separation, strengthening our communities, and building the Great American Recovery requires practical solutions that reflect the realities of local communities. Expanding access to evidence-based treatment—through thoughtful use of the pharmacy workforce—is one such solution deserving careful consideration.
SAMHSA recently signed a Dear Colleague letter with ACF and CMS on Expanding Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Through Pharmacist State Scope-of-Practice Flexibility.
SAMHSA has also issued an associated advisory outlining how pharmacists can support expanded access to MOUD. It describes opportunities for pharmacists to integrate MOUD treatment into their practices, support collaborative and team-based care, maintain and expand the ordering of MOUD, and address barriers to providing OUD treatment services in pharmacies.