The College of Pharmacy is delighted to announce a new hire in the Division of Health Outcomes and Pharmacy Addictions Research & Medicine (PhARM) Program.
Tyler Varisco, Pharm.D., Ph.D. is a registered pharmacist and trained health services researcher. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. His research focuses on evaluating and improving the quality of care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD).
Dr. Varisco's work leverages diverse research methods to identify and address systemic barriers to harm reduction and treatment in provider offices and pharmacies. Dr. Varisco led a collaborative effort between the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the National Community Pharmacists Association and three colleges of pharmacy to create and disseminate the Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Practice Guideline, a consensus, evidence-based guidance to address clinical obstacles that limit access to medication for OUD in the community pharmacy setting.
Dr. Varisco has a keen interest in identifying policy targets to promote equitable access to treatment for individuals living with substance use disorder or other behavioral health conditions. He currently serves as a subject matter expert for the revision of Treatment Improvement Protocol 63, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's guidance on medications for OUD. Much of his published research examines how policy changes affect patient and provider experiences with healthcare quality at the point of care for individuals in treatment and recovery.
The Pharmacy Addictions Research & Medicine (PhARM) Program addresses systemic barriers, inequities and stigma related to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction interventions by conducting innovative research and providing education and resources informed by people with lived experience to health professionals, paraprofessionals, academics and community members.