PHAR 722 Prescription Drug Abuse: The Opioid Epidemic

This elective course will discuss the pharmacist's role in addressing prescription drug abuse which has become a major public health concern.  The course will begin with discussion of public health, social, legal, and ethical aspects of prescription drug abuse, as well as monitoring programs, and distribution/diversion issues. An emphasis will be placed on the neurobiology, chemistry, and pharmacology of opioids as a drug class, as well as recognition of clinical presentation of toxicity and management.