Pharmacists on the front-line of solving a public health crisis: Increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder

Abstract Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be a public health crisis in the US. Medications for OUD have been reported to be safe and effective, yet underutilization and poor accessibility remain significant challenges. As one of the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists have the capability to help overcome these barriers and positively impact patient care. Limited strategies have been documented, in the US and abroad, that can serve as a blueprint for pharmacist involvement. Pharmacists should expand efforts to increase patient accessibility to medications for OUD and become a key part of the solution to this epidemic.