The Opioid Crisis: What Pharmacy Technicians Must Know

The Scale of the Epidemic

The opioid crisis remains one of the most devastating public health emergencies in American history. Over 80,000 opioid-related overdose deaths occur annually. Pharmacy technicians interact with opioid prescriptions daily, making awareness essential for the PTCB exam and practice.

How the Crisis Evolved

The epidemic unfolded in three waves. The first began in the 1990s with aggressive marketing of prescription opioids like OxyContin. The second saw rising heroin use as prescription access tightened. The third involves synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

Technician Responsibilities

PDMP Compliance

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs track controlled substance dispensing. Most states require PDMP checks before filling Schedule II-IV prescriptions. Technicians often run these checks or ensure pharmacist review.

Recognizing Red Flags

Watch for prescriptions from distant prescribers, multiple controlled substances from different doctors, cash-only payments, early refill requests, and altered prescriptions. Bring concerns to the pharmacist.

Naloxone Dispensing

Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdose. Many states allow dispensing through standing orders. Technicians keep naloxone stocked, process claims, and direct patients to the pharmacist.

Controlled Substance Handling

• Schedule II: No refills; new prescription required each time
• Partial fills: Must be completed within 72 hours
• Inventory: Exact count required for Schedule II
• DEA 222: Required for ordering Schedule II substances
• Disposal: Must follow DEA reverse distribution protocols

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and naltrexone (Vivitrol) help patients recover from opioid use disorder. Process these without stigma and ensure timely dispensing.

Build your knowledge with PTCB practice exams covering controlled substance regulations.