On Monday, Fox News reporter Geraldo Rivera ran a story on the opioid crisis. As part of his story, he accompanied the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on a “raid” of four community pharmacies in Celina, Tennessee. Before I begin, I do want to clarify that I have no information regarding the accusations being made against the pharmacies and pharmacists in this case, and therefore have formed no opinion regarding their professional judgment.
However, there are numerous inaccuracies and misstatements in this story, including an inference that pharmacists were “prescribing” these opioids. This statement demonstrates a lack of general understanding of each provider’s responsibility regarding opioid medications. Rivera’s story also does not convey the important work being done by TPA member pharmacists and pharmacy professionals to make a difference in patients’ lives. Most concerning is the lack of recognition and acknowledgement for all the work that has been done, and continues to be done, by the pharmacy community to curb prescription drug abuse in Tennessee.
