Knowledge and Perceptions of PharmD Students on Opioid Use and Misuse

Objective: This study aimed to measure the knowledge and perceptions of the student pharmacists toward opioid use and misuse.Methods: This survey included student pharmacists from the first, second, and third years who participated voluntarily and anonymously. Differences in knowledge and perceptions among participants' responses were analyzed by comparing responses using the chi 2 test.Results: A total of 138 student pharmacists participated in the survey. All 3 class years reported that the most common age for opioid abuse and addiction is 18-25 years. The top reasons for opioid misuse were identified as easy access to drugs (82%), health conditions (85%), lack of knowledge (83%), and experimentation (82%). Over half of the students believed that healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, friends, and the community all have a shared responsibility in addressing opioid misuse. The majority of the student pharmacists also believed that education is the most effective way to combat opioid misuse.Conclusion: The student pharmacists at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy had a strong understanding of the dangers of opioid misuse. They identified 18-25 years as the age range most susceptible to opioid misuse. They also identified the most common reasons for opioid misuse, with some disagreement about whether prescription pills or street drugs were the main cause. However, the majority of students agreed that education is the most effective way to address opioid misuse. These findings highlight the need for ongoing education and awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and the role of education in addressing this public health crisis.