Awarded Grant The "Eye" of the Opioid Analgesic Addiction storm: A National Crisis and "REMS" Call to Action: The Essential, Ethical & Obligatory Role of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to Teach, Treat and Educate Patients and Families
The Howard University College of Pharmacy Office of Continuing Professional Education applied for an Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) grant. This grant was established by the FDA and mandated that all "holders" of new drug applications and abbreviated new drug applications for all opioid analgesics to provide education for prescribers of these medications. The FDA listed approximately 10 healthcare professionals that should be included in the education and pharmacists were named. Despite this mandate, no pharmacist/pharmacy institution/entity including but not limited to: professional association, College of Pharmacy, hospital pharmacy department have been awarded this grant in its seven year cycle history...until now! Yes, Howard University College of Pharmacy is the first pharmacy institution to be awarded this grant and the national significance and symbolism of an HBCU institution receiving this award cannot be overstated! Particularly given a stimulus for this grant directly correlates to the National Opioid Crisis.