Test to Know

Preventing Drug Overdoses by Increasing Pharmacy-Based Access to Drug Test Strips

The presence of fentanyl, xylazine, and other substances in the non-prescribed drug supply have increased the need for greater community access to drug testing supplies, such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips.

Like naloxone, test strips are an additional tool for preventing overdose deaths that pharmacists can help distribute.

The purpose of this training is to teach pharmacists about fentanyl and xylazine drug testing strips and to overcome barriers to test strip sales and/or distribution at the pharmacy.

Learning Objectives

• Define what fentanyl and xylazine test strips are, and how they can be used.

• Describe barriers that can limit access to test strips at the pharmacy counter, and how to overcome them.

• Understand the logistics behind test strip sales and distribution including where to order test strips, and how to counsel patients on their use.