Walgreens partners with APhA to fight prescription drug abuse

Walgreens and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) this week announced a new collaboration to fight prescription drug abuse. 

Walgreens has been working toward reducing the incidence of prescription drug abuse, while APhA has worked to educate the pharmacy profession about substance abuse, particularly opioid abuse.

The APhA will conduct a four-day program from June 3-6 for pharmacists and student pharmacists. The educational program will focus on addictions and provide information and resources to the attendees.

“As a pharmacy, we are committed to playing a role in what must be a comprehensive solution to prevent addiction and prescription drug abuse throughout the country," Walgreens President of Pharmacy and Retail Operations Richard Ashworth said. "Our work with APhA, together with Walgreens programs that specifically target opioid abuse, will go a long way to help address the epidemics of prescription drug misuse and heroin overdoses.”

In addition to the collaboration with APhA, Walgreens is installing safe medication disposal kiosks in more than 500 stores. Shoppers can safely dispose of unused, unwanted and outdated medications at the kiosks. The home medicine cabinet is one source of opioid medications misused by addicted individuals. Walgreens also announced the state-by-state rollout of the lifesaving opioid antidote naloxone. It will be available without prescription in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

“We are pleased to have the support of Walgreens to work along with the profession as the epidemic of substance abuse in our nation continues to grow,” APhA EVP and CEO Thomas Menighan said. “Through the APhA Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies, we hope to raise the public’s awareness of this critical issue through their pharmacists. While pharmacists have always been on the front lines, we can do more. Our goal is to enhance public awareness of substance use disorders and take action with our local communities.”