A Pharmacist-Assisted Initiative to Improve Chronic Pain Management and Reduce Opioid Use in Primary Care.

- Since publication of the 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, there have been growing concerns that providers, including those in primary care, are tapering opioids too quickly and without concomitant use of non-opioid strategies for pain, leading to inadequate pain management. As a result, in November 2022 the CDC published Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, emphasizing the importance of creating comprehensive care plans for pain management and developing a consensual plan between provider and patient when tapering opioids. Determine the impact of a pharmacist-assisted approach aimed at helping primary care providers minimize opioid use while improving management of chronic, non-malignant pain (CNMP).