Pharmacists on the Front Lines

October is American Pharmacists Month (#APhM2016). It’s a time to recognize the vital role our pharmacists have in providing quality healthcare. Pharmacists contribute toward improving medication use, advancing patient care and education, and keeping patients safe when there may be potential drug interactions, adverse reactions, or expired medications.

Pharmacists on the Front Lines of Prescription Opioid Overdose Prevention

Patients with chronic pain deserve safer and more effective pain management. In March 2016, CDC published the Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and JAMA. The Guideline includes recommendations to improve patient safety and care for people with chronic pain. CDC developed user-friendly resources to make the guideline easy for providers and patients to understand and use. The newest one, released today, is a brochure specifically for pharmacists. It outlines some aspects of the pharmacist’s role, important information that pharmacists can share with their patients, and some tips on how to engage in meaningful discussions with patients. Find the resource here:

• Pharmacists’ Brochure
• Guideline Resources

Pharmacists on the Front Lines of Older Adult Fall Prevention

The older adult population in the U.S. is increasing rapidly. In the next 15 years, there will be 74 million older adults. Unfortunately the fall rate is also increasing. By 2030, we will see nearly 49 million falls and 12 million fall injuries. In response to this growing threat to older adults’ safety, health and independence, CDC developed the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries, or STEADI initiative. STEADI helps clinicians, including pharmacists, incorporate fall prevention into their regular practice. In recognition of American Pharmacists Month, CDC celebrates the important contributions pharmacists have in reducing older adults falls. To learn more about STEADI visit:

• CDC's STEADI Initiative
• SAFE Medication Review

Learn More

• Pharmacists: On the Front Lines Addressing Prescription Opioid Abuse and Overdose
• Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
• CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
• Important Facts about Falls
• CDC’s STEADI Initiative