‘Red Flags’ and ‘Red Tape’: Telehealth and pharmacy-level barriers to buprenorphine in the United States

Original research
by
Textor, Lauren, Daniel Ventricelli, & Shoshana V. Aronowitz

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess how efforts to increase access to buprenorphine via telehealth are implemented by prescribers and pharmacists and experienced by patients.

Findings/Key points

While participants stated that telehealth for OUD treatment was a welcome option, pharmacy-level barriers to buprenorphine persisted. Geographical distance from patient to provider or pharmacist continued to serve as “red flags” for pharmacists, leading to pharmacy-level “red tape:” gatekeeping measures including geographic restrictions, telephone prescription “confirmations,” prescription cancellations and refusals. Patients’ unmet expectations of buprenorphine access in some cases led to unanticipated risks including a return to injection drug use.

Design/methods

Interviews with patients, prescribers and clinic staff, and pharmacists

Keywords

Policy/Regulatory
About PWUD
About pharmacists
Barriers and enablers
Transitions in care/treatment
Digital health
Stigma