National survey exploring drug screening in pharmacy programs

Abstract

Objective. To explore drug screening programs, including requirements, policies, and procedures among pharmacy programs; frequency of drug-related incidents; and types of substances misused by pharmacy students. Methods. IRB-approved web-based and paper surveys were sent to pharmacy deans, experiential education faculty, and student affairs personnel at 135 US ACPE-accredited and candidate status programs. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze the data, identify relationships and draw conclusions. Results. Administrators from 98 programs responded (73% response rate). Sixty-one percent reported implementing a urine drug screen requirement for students, with a 10-panel screen as the most common required screen (72%). Ninety-three percent of programs require students to pay for the screen, with costs averaging $42 per screen. Programs reported an average of 2.2 substance-related events per 100 students annually, with alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, opioids and benzodiazepines most commonly involved. Schools that do not screen reported twice as many incidents as those that screen. Conclusion. A drug screening program can deter pharmacy students from inappropriate substance use. The results from this study can assist pharmacy administrators in evaluating the need to institute or enhance a drug screening program at their school or college of pharmacy.