About this event
Nearly 2.7 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder (OUD), yet only half of all U.S. pharmacies dispense buprenorphine. With close to three million Americans suffering from OUD, what is preventing all pharmacies from dispensing the life-saving medication? In this presentation, Dr. Tyler Varisco will review how recent policy changes impact access to medication for OUD, affecting treatment for millions. Dr. Varisco will discuss current policies and protections regarding OUD as well as proposed legislation that could impact physicians and patients in the future. OUD is a treatable condition, and with access to medication, many Americans could safely recover from this disorder.
Who can attend
Registration is limited to ISMIE and SEMPIC policyholders, ISMS members, and their employed staff.
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe how recent policy changes, including the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, have changed prescriptive authority to treat opioid use disorder
- Define protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act for persons with substance use disorder
- Contrast federal initiatives to promote access to substance use disorder treatment with the existing federal regulatory and enforcement environment
About the presenter
Tyler Varisco, PharmD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy and assistant director for Research Development in the Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. A registered pharmacist and trained health services researcher, Dr. Varisco earned his PharmD from the University of Texas at Austin and his PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. His research focuses on evaluating and improving the quality of care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD).
Dr. Varisco’s work leverages diverse research methods to identify and address systemic barriers to harm reduction and treatment in provider offices and pharmacies. Dr. Varisco led a collaborative effort between the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and three colleges of pharmacy to create and disseminate the Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Practice Guideline, a consensus, evidence-based guidance to address clinical and obstacles that limit access to medication for OUD in the community pharmacy setting.
Dr. Varisco has a keen interest in identifying policy targets to promote equitable access to treatment for individuals living with substance use disorder or other behavioral health conditions. He currently serves as a subject matter expert for the revision of Treatment Improvement Protocol 63, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s guidance on medications for OUD. Much of his published research focuses on evaluating how policy changes influence the intersection of patient and provider experience with healthcare quality at the point of care for persons in treatment and recovery.
Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Illinois State Medical Society and ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company. The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
The Illinois State Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure
There are no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined commercial interests for anyone who was in control of the content of this activity.
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