Interprofessional approaches in the treatment of opioid dependence: Spotlight on Pharmacist administration of depot buprenorphine
On-demand recorded 20 Jun 2023
This webinar explores ways GPs and Pharmacists can work together to support patients with opioid dependence by providing greater access to the full range of treatment options, including depot buprenorphine. Community pharmacist administration has been explored in a pilot project led by the University of Sydney and the Ministry of Health.
GP and addiction medicine specialist, Dr Hester Wilson discusses the place of depot buprenorphine as a treatment option, and how GPs and community pharmacists can benefit from working together to support patient care.
Pharmacist Joel Hillman from Sydney LHD and the University of Sydney will share some early findings from the NSW Depot Buprenorphine in Pharmacy Pilot. He will discuss the approach to support pharmacist administration, minimum requirements, training package and resources.
Learning outcomes
- Compare and contrast depot buprenorphine as a treatment option for opioid dependence and outline steps to commence or transfer a patient to depot buprenorphine.
- Identify patients prescribed depot buprenorphine who are suitable for community pharmacist administration.
- Implement referral and communication models, where appropriate, between GPs, Drug and Alcohol specialist services and pharmacists to support quality patient outcomes.
- Apply a structured approach to review and assess patients who have been prescribed depot buprenorphine as opioid treatment.
Speakers
Dr Hester Wilson
BMed(Hons) FRACGP FAChAM MMH
Dr Wilson is a GP, Chief Addiction Specialist for NSW Health, Clinical Director for Murrumbidgee Drug and Alcohol and Clinical Advisor to Population and Community Health in South East Sydney LHD. She is chair of the RACGP Addiction Special Interest Group, a clinician with many years clinical and teaching experience, she is currently undertaking a PhD focused on GPs’ experience of patients with chronic pain and prescription opioid use disorder.
Joel Hillman
Pilot Lead – Depot Buprenorphine in Pharmacy Pilot (USYD)
Joel (he/him) is a drug and alcohol clinical pharmacist and educator at the University of Sydney with a passion for substance-related care, accessibility, and education. He manages the NSW Pharmacist-Administered Depot Buprenorphine Pilot and took part in pre-market clinical trials of CAM2038 depot buprenorphine (Buvidal(R)).