Facilitate Education
Investigate
Guide
Assess
CPSO OPIOID POSITION STATEMENT
Introduction Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis , with escalating overdose deaths in multiple provinces and the second high est rate of opioid prescribing / use per capita in the world . Opioid abuse and misuse are highly complex issues involv ing both illicit and prescription drugs , and there are no quick solutions to this problem . While prescription opioids are an important and useful therapeutic tool for select patients with certain conditions , prescription opioids carry risks , even when prescribed and used appropriately . There are many contributing factors to the opioid crisis – socioeconomic , the availability of illicit drugs that are increasingly unsafe , and a lack of sufficient services to support chronic pain , mental health and addiction . However , well-meaning prescribing by physicians has contributed to the problem , and improvements to prescribing practices must be part of the solution . As the regulatory body for physicians in Ontario , the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is mandated to serve and protect the public . This includes ensuring that physicians appro priately prescribe opioids . We are concerned about the devastating consequences opioid abuse , misuse and diversion are having on patients , their families , and communities – it touches us all .
Addressing the opioid crisis requires system-wide solutions and collaboration amongst government and government agencies , health-care educators , regulators , doctors and other health professionals , and patients . All of the College ’ s efforts are grounded in a steadfast commitment to improved patient and public safety . This statement communicates the College ’ s role and approach , and highlights the complementary roles of system partners . Physicians are strongly encouraged to read the College ’ s recently updated Prescribing Drugs
The objectives of the College ’ s Opioid Strategy are to :
Facilitate safe and appropriate opioid prescribing by physicians to patients ,
Protect patient access to care , and Reduce risk to both patients and the public .
policy , which reflects the new 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain .
The College ’ s Opioid Strategy comprises a fourpronged approach reflecting our mandate , namely to : Guide ; Assess ; Investigate ; and Facilitate Education for Ontario ’ s doctors . The strategy is supported through effective communication and collaboration with physicians , the public and health-system partners , and using data and analytics to inform prescribing practices and our regulatory responsibilities .
Elements of our Opioid Strategy which promote appropriate prescribing include :
Guidance Prescribing drugs is a standard component of most physicians ’ practices . It is an important area of practice that requires appropriate knowledge , skill and professional judgment . Prescribing is also governed by a complex legislative framework . The College provides guidance and sets expectations of physicians in our Prescribing Drugs policy . While the Prescribing Drugs policy articulates general expectations and principles of good practice that ap-
ISSUE 3 , 2017 DIALOGUE 27