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Original Article for Current Event Topic

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Original Article for Current Event Topic

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/17/trump-to-declare-opioid-epidemic-national-emergency-here-s-what-that-means.html

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On October 26, 2017 the Health and Human Services Secretary declared a Public Health Emergency to address the national Opioid crisis as requested by President Donald Trump. I chose this current event topic due to the immediate and dire threat it posses to the safety of the public as well as its impact on the medical and pharmaceutical field.

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Each day, according to the Center of Diseases Control and Prevention CDCP, more that 140 Americans die from drug overdoses, 91 specifically due to opioids. This epidemic has been growing out of control for years with no signs of getting better. By declaring the opioid epidemic a Public Health Emergency, it provides a multi-faceted approach with the full weight and attention of the Federal Government behind it.

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Making Us a Better Pharmacy Technicians 

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Making Us a Better Pharmacy Technicians 

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In this situation in which our Country is with the problem of addiction, it is very important to have the knowledge and the ability to understand in detail all about Control Substances, Narcotics, pharmacy rules, and Laws. Pharmacy Technician needs to evaluate the validity of the prescription to decrease the amount of control substances abuse in the community.  It makes us better technicians because with proper training and education, we will be able to identify false adulterated medical prescriptions.

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Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in the  brain or body. Common opioids include heroin and prescriptions such an oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Over time, user develop or build up a tolerance to the drug that can trigger the cycle of addiction. As a result, the users increase their dosing which in turn leads to over dose and ever death. 52,404 American died from opioid overdoses in 2015, more than an estimated 64,000 in 2016, and the death toll continuous to rise. Under President Trump, in April 2017 Health Human Services unveiled a new Five Point Opioid Strategy along with priorities designed to reduce the impact of opioid misuse and abuse.

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Why is this Important to Pharmacy and Pharmacy Technicians

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Why is this Important to Pharmacy and Pharmacy Technicians

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Over the years Health Care Providers have felt increasing pressure to prescribe opioids in an effort to improve patient care and patient satisfaction. Pharmacists process unique knowledge about safe and effective use of medication and about the adverse events resulting from inappropriate use. Such knowledge enables the Pharmacist to play a key role in patient access to opioids, but also opioid drug abuse prevention, education, and assistance. It is important for the pharmacy technician to have knowledge and understanding of their role in Controlled Substance handling and dispensing as well as to be current with the Laws, regulations and proper training. They play a key part in being alert for Red Flags and informing the pharmacist of any suspicious or inappropriate behavior.

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HHS.gov
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2017/10/26/hhs-acting-secretary-declares-public-health-emergency-address-national-opioid-crisis.html

U S Food and Drug Administration
FDA
https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm337066.htm

American Pharmacy Association
http://www.pharmacist.com/article/trump-declare-public-health-emergency-opioids-partial-measure-fight-drug-epidemic

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How this Article Relates to Classroom Concepts or Discussions.

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How this Article Relates to Classroom Concepts or Discussions.

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The Opioids Epidemic relates in many ways to our classroom concepts and discussions we have had so far. Due to its addictive and abusive characteristics, it is critical for every technician to handle and dispense control substances with extreme care and attention to detail. The slightest mistake can quickly lead to addiction, overdose and ever death.

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Since the United States of America has declared a Public Health Emergency due to the Opioid Addiction crisis, it is a very Hot Topic in Pharmacy because the pharmacy plays a very important role in the abuse of narcotics and controlled substances. Prescribers write a prescription for the patients and the patients take them to the pharmacy. In the Pharmacy, the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician has specific responsibilities and quality control measures in regards to Controlled Substance Prescriptions.