Pharmacy-Based Buprenorphine Workflow
This swimlane diagram illustrates how a community pharmacy can use telehealth and existing collaborative practice agreement laws to provide medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) in a community pharmacy setting. This format enables the viewer to easily see how responsibilities shift among different participants throughout the workflow. It is essential to note that this diagram intentionally does not describe each step in detail, as the implementation may vary depending on pharmacy volume, technician support, and state laws. This workflow was designed for a pharmacy with both a pharmacist and a technician; however, if a technician is not present, the pharmacist will also perform those responsibilities. The diagram highlights how community pharmacies can play a critical role in expanding timely and accessible treatment for patients with OUD.
The Regimen Podcast featuring PharmacyBridge.org
In this episode of The Regimen, Jef Bratberg and Michelle Caetano introduce PharmacyBridge.org, a new national resource designed to expand pharmacist involvement in treating opioid use disorder (OUD). With fewer than one in five people receiving life-saving medications despite most Americans living minutes from a community pharmacy, Pharmacy Bridge turns a 434-page policy report into an accessible, state-by-state, mobile-friendly tool highlighting legal authority, best practices, and pathways for implementation. Jeff and Michelle discuss the website’s design, national hex maps, state policy summaries, pharmacist-prescribing and administration laws, Medicaid and commercial coverage, and resources for policymakers, advocates, and practitioners. The conversation underscores the critical role pharmacists can play in improving access, equity, and retention in OUD treatment—and how PharmacyBridge.org helps close this gap by mapping barriers, showcasing solutions, and supporting real-world implementation.