Resource materials for Butrans available for pharmacists

Purdue Pharma LP, along with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), has created a brochure and an Initiation & Titration guide to instruct pharmacists on the proper dosing, application, rotation, disposal, and safety for its drug Butrans.

Butrans (buprenorphine transdermal system) is approved for the management of severe pain that requires daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment for which alternative options are inadequate. It is not indicated for use on an as-needed analgesic.

A 2014 survey conducted by Harris Poll for Purdue Pharma found that 46% of pharmacists who had heard of Butrans demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the proper starting dose for opioid-naïve or opioid-experienced patients. Most pharmacists (95%) had heard of the drug, but only 28% was extremely or very familiar with it.

“As pharmacists, we take to heart our responsibility in helping to manage our patients and counsel them on safety using any prescription medications,” said APhA member Michele Matthews, PharmD, CPE, BCAP. “These materials reinforce pharmacists’ confidence in their knowledge of Butrans, allowing them to provide their patients proper guidance.”

Lisa Miller, PharmD, executive director of healthcare education and liaison programs at Purdue, said pharmacists are often the last healthcare professional a patient sees before using medications. “It is imperative that we provide pharmacists with essential information about opioid therapies to improve their understanding and encourage appropriate use for their patients.”

The brochure and the Initiation & Titration guide are expected to reach more than 20,000 pharmacists.