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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

Use of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among US Adolescents and Adults With Need for Opioid Treatment, 2019
Results of a study to estimate use rates of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and to identify associations between MOUD and characteristics of people who may have needed treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Features statistics including characteristics of adolescents and adults with past-year OUD treatment need and likelihood of MOUD among adults who may have needed OUD treatment, with breakdowns by large metropolitan, small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Pia M. Mauro, Sarah Gutkind, Erin M. Annunziato, Hillary Samples
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(3)
Date: 03/2022
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, 2022
Annual review of Medicare payment policies, with recommendations to Congress. Includes discussion on Medicare payment policies directly affecting rural providers and beneficiaries. Addresses payment adequacy for healthcare facilities and services, improving Medicare payment for post-acute care, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and the impact of healthcare provider consolidation.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Antibiotic Stewardship Profile Series: Astria Sunnyside Hospital
Profiles the antibiotic stewardship efforts of Astria Sunnyside Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Sunnyside, Washington. Describes the development of the antimicrobial stewardship program, leadership, drug expertise, tracking and reporting, provider education, and more.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Rural Community Pharmacists' Ability and Interest in Administering COVID-19 Vaccines in the Southern United States
Examines rural, southern community pharmacists' demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine training, and ability to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Utilizes survey responses from 69 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP) and provides data on COVID-19 vaccine preparedness, attitudes, and more.
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 62(4), 1379-1383
Date: 01/2022
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January 2022 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) January 2022 meeting. Covers payment adequacy and updates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services, physician and other health professional services, outpatient dialysis services and improving the ESRD payment system, skilled nursing facility services, home health agency services, long-term care hospital services, inpatient rehabilitation facility services, hospice services, and ambulatory surgical center services. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Increasing Capacity for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care Practices
Examines strategies to improve the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in primary care practices (PCPs) through the program Implementing Technology and Medication Assisted Treatment Team Training in Rural Colorado (IT MATTTRs). Reports on 42 PCPs who participated in IT MATTTRs over 20 months beginning in September 2017. Discusses program efficacy and potential impacts on OUD in rural areas.
Author(s): Linda Zittleman, Kristen Curcija, Donald E. Nease Jr, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 20(1), 18-23
Date: 01/2022
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A Qualitative Study on Pharmacy Policies Toward Over-the-Counter Syringe Sales in a Rural Epicenter of US Drug-Related Epidemics
Examines pharmacy over-the-counter (OTC) policies and pharmacists' rationale for, and barriers and facilitators to, OTC syringe sales in a rural Appalachian Kentucky area hard hit by drug-related epidemics. Uses data collected from interviews with 14 pharmacists between February 2018 and January 2019.
Author(s): Monica Fadanelli, Hannah L. F. Cooper, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1)
Date: 01/2022
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Prescription Drug Affordability among Medicare Beneficiaries
Examines the affordability of prescription drugs among Medicare beneficiaries. Explores whether Medicare beneficiaries skipped doses, took less medication, delayed filling a prescription, or did not fill needed prescriptions due to cost concerns. Explores affordability concerns by race and ethnicity, sex, family income, urban versus rural counties, and presence of select chronic conditions.
Author(s): Wafa Tarazi, Kenneth Finegold, Steven Sheingold, Nancy De Lew, Benjamin D. Sommers
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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2022 340B Health Annual Survey: Vital 340B-Supported Patient Services Threatened as Manufacturer Restrictions Cut Into Savings
Summarizes the results of an November - December 2022 survey of 633 hospitals, including small and rural hospitals, that participate in the 340B drug pricing program. Describes how these hospitals utilize their savings from the 340B program to benefit patients. Discusses the importance of the program to Critical Access Hospitals, Disproportionate Share Hospitals, and other safety-net facilities. Outlines the effects of manufacturer restrictions on community and specialty pharmacies.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: 340B Health
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Accessibility of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraceptives in Utah
Surveys 210 Utah pharmacies in 2019 to determine participation in pharmacist-prescribed contraceptives one year after authorization by the Utah State Legislature. Also evaluates access to contraceptives based on geographic distribution of pharmacies. Participating pharmacies are designated either rural or non-rural. Discusses participating pharmacy locations compared with locations of people living below the poverty line and minority races and ethnicities.
Author(s): Brianna M. Magnusson, Sarah R. Christensen, Ashley B. Tanner, et al.
Citation: Obstetrics & Gynecology 138(6), 871-877
Date: 12/2021
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