The Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic is a complicated, multi-faceted public health crisis, which must be addressed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach. We are committed to engaging with all who share our dedication and are acting with urgency to address this national crisis.
With our deep expertise in pharmaceutical distribution, analytics and information technology as well as our relationships with pharmacies, policymakers and manufacturers, McKesson is advancing the below set of initiatives aimed at addressing several issues contributing to the opioid epidemic:
Harnessing available data to identify individuals at-risk of opioid abuse
We have invested in the development of a national system that uses prescription information to provide real-time alerts to pharmacists and, ultimately, prescribers, indicating when additional information may be needed before dispensing opioids. To learn more and watch a short video explanation, visit the Prescription Safety Alert System section.
Free pharmacist training on opioid overdose reversal medications
We have provided pharmacists with complimentary training by independent medical experts on how to administer medications such as naloxone. As of June 2019, more than 1,200 pharmacists have participated in the training and we will continue delivering additional trainings through 2020.
Educating our customers
We are proactively educating customers about the importance of complying with DEA and state agency regulations and identifying warning signs of prescription abuse and diversion. With help from the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Association of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), we have created toolkits and educational materials to help pharmacists identify the warning signs of prescription opioid abuse and diversion and engage with patients, caregivers and prescribers, when appropriate.
In addition, many pharmacies have access to tools for ensuring safe opioid disposal, appropriate naloxone dispensing and referrals for addiction treatment. We will continue to proactively engage and educate our pharmacy customers.
McKesson Opioid Foundation
McKesson contributed $100 million to establish the independent Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated solely to driving solutions for the epidemic. Dr. Andrea Barthwell has been appointed board chair and Dr. Karen Scott has been appointed as president. FORE’s vision is to inspire and accelerate action to end the opioid epidemic with patients at the center. FORE is focused on supporting programs and grants in four key areas: provider education, payer strategies, policy initiatives and public awareness, and announced its first round of grant awards to support 19 organizations that are working to increase access to opioid use disorder treatment in diverse and innovative ways. For more information on FORE, please visit https://forefdn.org.