Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility of Administering Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Community Pharmacies

OBJECTIVE: Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) are evidence-based treatments for schizophrenia with demonstrated improved adherence and health outcomes relative to oral antipsychotics. Despite their benefits, LAIAs remain underprescribed. Administering LAIAs in community pharmacies could improve uptake, but the feasibility of integrating new services in this setting is often disregarded. The authors aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of administering LAIAs in community pharmacies in Washington State. METHODS: Community pharmacy staff and psychiatric clinicians in Washington State were recruited, via both purposive and snowball sampling, through the Washington State Pharmacy Association and University of Washington's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Participants' perceptions were assessed via a cross-sectional survey that included a questionnaire completed by pharmacy staff and three measures completed by psychiatric clinicians. For all outcomes, higher scores indicated more favorable responses. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Simple linear regression models and comparisons across respondent groups were performed where possible. RESULTS: Ninety-three respondents initiated a survey; 89 met eligibility criteria. The pharmacists' mean scores were 4.98 (out of 6) for acceptability, 4.34 (out of 6) for feasibility, and 3.91 (out of 5) for appropriateness; the pharmacy technicians' mean respective scores were 5.43, 4.28, and 3.90. The clinicians' scores (measured on a 5-point Likert scale) were 4.20 for acceptability, 4.01 for appropriateness, and 3.92 for feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents surveyed viewed LAIA administration in community pharmacies as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, indicating compatibility with early implementation efforts to support service development and expansion.