Supporting patients with substance use related problems: maximising treatment benefits from pharmacies

Introduction: Substance use is a prevalent issue affecting all social groups across the globe. The prevalence is generally higher in areas of greater social deprivation and inequality. This vulnerable population group are more like to experience social isolation, stigma, premature aging and develop physical health comorbidities, adding to the complexities in optimising care. Pharmacy is ideally placed to support this population group.
Aim: To explore the opportunities to maximise the skill of pharmacy teams in supporting patients with substance use related issues.
To bring an internationally diverse group together, with shared interest in supporting patients with substance use problems, to learn from different contexts and experiences.
The learning objectives are:
• Identify how pharmacy teams support patients with substance use issues.
• Provide the opportunity to share experiences and discuss how to improve the experience.
• Explore opportunities to improve patient health and minimise comorbidities.
• Identify roles and services that pharmacy can deliver to this vulnerable population group
Target Audience: Anybody working with patients with, or at risk of, developing substance use issues and/or with an interest in mortality relating to social inequality.
Description: The workshop would consist of three short presentations setting the scene within the Scottish context, the country with the highest drug-related death rate in Europe, with interventions and strategies relevant to other nations discussed.
The three presentations proposed are:
• Drug Related Deaths: what has been done to reduce them
• Challenges of polysubstance use: a focus on benzodiazepines
• Trauma Informed Care: Improving the pharmacy experience
The second section will involve smaller group discussions on issues raised and ways of supporting this vulnerable patient group learning from broader international experiences.
Finally, a recap summarising the discussions and general feedback to the audience on ways identified to improve the pharmacy experience for patients using substances.