Services Database Supervised consumption of opioid substitutes for selected patients in community based treatment (Northumberland Area)

Through the supervised consumption of substitute medication, the pharmacist can support the service user to comply with a prescribing regime and reduce the risk of accidental overdose. In addition, this ensures that medicines are administered to the correct service user and mitigates the risk of these medicines being diverted onto the illicit drugs market. The pharmacist will also be in the unique position of being in contact with the service user on a daily basis allowing them to build a therapeutic relationship and can monitor and contribute to, the wellbeing of the service user and liaise appropriately with the prescriber or keyworker to share any observations and/or concerns.

All pharmacists delivering the service will need to demonstrate that they have completed the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Excellence (CPPE) distance learning course “Substance Use and Misuse”.

The pharmacist has a duty to ensure that all staff involved in the provision of the service have relevant knowledge and are appropriately trained in the operation of the service.

Relevant, on-going, harm reduction training will be provided to pharmacists and their staff by the commissioned drug and alcohol treatment provider.