Objective   To explore the role of pharmacists′ participation in opioid therapy in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain under multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model.

  Methods   A total of 120 inpatients in oncology department were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method, with 60 cases in each group. The rational rate of pain assessment, rational rate of opioid titration, pain intensity (PI), length of hospital stay, opioid escalation index percentage (OEI%) and incidence of opioid adverse reactions were compared between two groups.

  Results   The rational rates of pain assessment and opioid titration in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). At discharge, PI score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). The initial oral morphine equivalent daily dose (OMEDD) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). The proportion of patients with OEI%>5% in the observation group was significantly lower, and the days of opioid use and hospital stay were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of constipation and nausea as well as vomiting in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P <0.05).

  Conclusion   Under the MDT model, pharmacists′ participation in opioid therapy and management in patients with cancer pain can effectively enhance the rationality of drug use, improve patients′ pain and their quality of life.