STAMFORD, Conn. — Purdue Pharma is working with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to distribute a series of resources that address pharmacist knowledge gaps with Butrans, the drug company’s Schedule III extended-release transdermal opioid pain medication.

Purdue said the resources include the Pharmacist Brochure and the Initiation & Titration Guide, which will reach more than 20,000 pharmacists and foster productive pharmacist-patient interactions about Butrans (buprenorphine), including proper dosing, application, rotation and disposal, and safety. 

Next month, Purdue plans to hold a webcast about Butrans as part of the pharmacist awareness campaign.

"Pharmacists are often the last health care professional with whom a patient interacts with before using a medication, so they have the potential to make an impact on patients’ quality of care, if given the necessary information on prescription medications and treatments," stated Lisa Miller, executive director of health care education and liaison programs at Purdue. "Purdue strongly believes it is imperative that we provide pharmacists with essential information about opioid therapies to improve their understanding and encourage appropriate use for their patients."

According to an online poll of 503 pharmacists conducted in February by Harris Poll for Purdue, 95% said counseling patients about prescription opioid medications is a key part of their role as a pharmacist. Yet 72% said they wish they had better resources to help them counsel patients about prescription opioid drugs.

Meanwhile, 95% of the pharmacists said they’ve heard of Butrans, and 28% indicated that they were extremely or very familiar with it. Forty-four percent of pharmacists were only somewhat familiar with Butrans. The survey also found that 46% of pharmacists who have heard of Butrans demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding the proper starting dose for opioid-naive or opioid-experienced patients.

"As pharmacists, we take to heart our responsibility in helping to manage our patients and counsel them on safely using any prescription medications," commented APhA member Michele Matthews. "These materials should help reinforce pharmacists’ confidence in their knowledge of Butrans, allowing them to provide their patients proper guidance." 

Butrans is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Earlier this month, Purdue announced the U.S. commercial launch of the new 7.5 mcg/hour dosage strength of the Butrans Transdermal System CIII. Five strengths of Butrans are now available: 5 mcg/hour, 7.5 mcg/hour, 10 mcg/hour, 15 mcg/hour and 20 mcg/hour.

Purdue noted that Butrans is the first transdermal system that delivers seven days of buprenorphine. As a Schedule III opioid, Butrans may be called into the pharmacy, and refills may be provided up to five times in a six month period. Refill guidelines may vary from state to state.