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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs

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.
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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Expanding Pharmacists' Prescriptive Authority: Options for Reform
Explores why states may want to consider expanding pharmacists' prescriptive authority. Presents state policy options for expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists, including advantages and disadvantages of each and examples from states. Also addresses potential concerns about the increased prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
Author(s): James Broughel, Elise Amez-Droz
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Mercatus Center
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Practical Tools for Prescribing and Promoting Buprenorphine in Primary Care Settings
Offers evidence-based information to support primary care providers in prescribing buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Addresses strategies and considerations for primary care providers and practices looking to implement the treatment, including the phases of care, training and education, and payment and pharmacy considerations. Chapter 2.7 covers buprenorphine prescribing in rural settings.
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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The Tennessee Medicaid Medication Therapy Management Program: Early Stage Contextual Factors and Implementation Outcomes
Shares the results of a study examining a multi-faceted implementation strategy to support a medication therapy management (MTM) pilot program for TennCare, Tennessee's state Medicaid program, at both the organizational and individual levels. Describes contextual factors associated with the pilot program implementation based on the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). Table 3 reports characteristics of organizations participating in the pilot program, including information on study participants located in a rural area.
Author(s): Kenneth C. Hohmeier, Chelsea Renfro, Kea Turner, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 21, 1189
Date: 11/2021
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COVID-19 Contracting: Indian Health Service Used Flexibilities to Meet Increased Medical Supply Needs
Examines the Indian Health Service (IHS) National Supply Service Center (NSSC) contract obligations to obtain COVID-19-related products and medical supplies. Describes the contracting approaches used and challenges IHS officials faced.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Prescription Opioid Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain: United States, 2019
Study examining prescription opioid use to treat chronic pain in adults, breaking down data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey by pain measures and demographics, sex, veteran status, rurality, and more. Discusses trends in the data to identify population characteristics among users of prescription opioids, and addresses risk of prescription opioid misuse.
Author(s): James M. Dahlhamer, Eric M. Connor, Jonaki Bose, Jacqueline W. Lucas, Carla E. Zelaya
Citation: National Health Statistics Reports, 162, 1-8
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural Community Pharmacies' Preparedness for and Responses to COVID-19
Analyzes emergency preparedness for COVID-19 in rural, southeastern community pharmacies and how emergency preparedness responses varied by level of rurality. Utilizes survey data from 62 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP), examining COVID-19 information source use, interest in COVID-19 testing, infection control procedures, disaster preparedness training, medication supply impacts, and demographic characteristics, comparing responses from pharmacists located in large rural town, small rural town, and isolated rural town.
Additional links: Poster Presentation
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17, 1327-1331
Date: 07/2021
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