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Health Canada, provinces commit to tackling opioid crisis
Ontario begins to make data from Narcotics Monitoring System available to prescribers
Some Ontario physicians are now able to access data that gives them a comprehensive up-to-date picture of the narcotics that have been dispensed to their patients. The pilot project was launched in early December in three organizations in Guelph. It allows clinicians at the sites to have access to data from the province’ s Narcotic Monitoring System( NMS). The information will allow physicians to make a more informed decision about whether prescribing opioids is the most appropriate treatment for a particular patient. Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, had made a pledge just two weeks earlier, stating that giving this kind of access to all prescribers would be a priority for his government. Dr. Hoskins had made the promise as part of a Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis, which was released at the conclusion of a two-day summit in Ottawa. Dr. Rocco Gerace, College Registrar, said he was pleased with Ontario’ s direction in giving physicians access to monitored drug information.“ This is something that we have
Dialogue Issue 4, 2016 been asking for since our 2010 report Tackling the Opioid Public Health Crisis. If prescribers had prescription information for all patients, it would help them determine whether prescribing opioids is the most appropriate intervention. This information would also alert the prescriber to patients who may be double-doctoring, using multiple pharmacies or diverting opioids.” Dr. Hoskins also promised to provide physicians in the province with reports that show how their opioid prescribing compares to that of their peers and to best practices. Dr. Hoskins co-hosted the summit with Federal Health Minister Dr. Jane Philpott. It brought together policy makers, health-care professionals, researchers, educators, and regulatory bodies to identify specific actions and publicly commit to taking these actions.( Please see the College’ s contribution to the action plan on facing page).“ Canada faces a serious and growing opioid crisis. We see its consequences in the rates of addiction, overdoses, and deaths across the country. This is a complex health and social issue with devastating
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Health Canada’ s commitment includes:
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BETTER INFORMING CANADIANS ABOUT THE RISKS OF OPIOIDS: New warning stickers, patient information sheets, review of best practices.
SUPPORTING BETTER PRESCRIBING PRACTICES: Promote prescription monitoring programs, examine pharmacy records, share information with provincial licensing bodies, Canada Health Infoway e-prescribing solution.
REDUCING EASY ACCESS TO UNNECESSARY OPIOIDS: Clear contraindications for approved opioids, regulatory changes that will propose requiring a prescription for low-dose codeine products, mandatory risk management plans for certain opioids.
SUPPORTING BETTER TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS: Better and faster access to naloxone, expediting the review of non-opioid pain relievers, re-examining special requirements for methadone.
IMPROVING THE EVIDENCE BASE: Bringing together experts in the field to discuss how to improve data collection and the Canadian evidence base.