Management of Chronic Pain for the Community Pharmacist

As we are amidst the opioid epidemic, it is imperative that pharmacists are aware of updated policies, guidelines, and best practices surrounding pain management with opioids. This CE will discuss updates to Massachusetts Law and CDC's guidelines on chronic pain management (released 03/2016). Recommendations from the updated guidelines will be applied to a community pharmacy setting and provide pharmacists with best practices in order to improve safety and efficiency when dispensing opioid medications.

At the completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

-Comply with recent regulatory changes related to the dispensing of controlled substances
-Apply the CDC's guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain to the community practice setting
-Properly assess, manage, and monitor patients who are prescribed opioid medications
-Effectively counsel patients on prescription opioids

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of the community pharmacist as well as any practicing pharmacist in a postion to routinely interact with and educate the public regarding safe use of prescribed opioids.

MCPHS University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.