Pharmacists cheer their new ability to prescribe

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) called it a “major legislative victory” — on December 2, new language in the SUPPORT Act (see page 1) empowers pharmacists by permitting APhA and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to offer eight hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) training for pharmacists. This training will fulfill requirements under law for prescribing controlled substances – including buprenorphine. “Pharmacists are on the front lines of patient care, and this provision recognizes their critical role in addressing the opioid epidemic,” said Michael D. Hogue, executive vice president and CEO of APhA. “By enabling pharmacists to prescribe buprenorphine with appropriate training, we are expanding access to treatment and saving lives.”