Advancing the College's Opioid Strategy

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS IN SUPPORTING PATIENTS

As medication experts, pharmacists are in a unique role to support the appropriate use and access to narcotic and other controlled drugs. Additionally, pharmacy professionals are often the most accessible healthcare providers for patients and so may have opportunities to develop and identify best practices and provide additional support and education around opioid issues.

FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN HOSPITAL HIGH RISK AREAS PUBLISHED

As announced in the Fall 2019 edition of Pharmacy Connection, a new framework aimed at reducing the risk of diversion within hospitals has been established through the collaborative efforts of several health system and pharmacy stakeholders. As the sponsor of the Partnered Table to Improve the Safety and Security of Controlled Substances in Hospital High Risk Areas, the College is pleased to work with its partners to share the framework and contribute to system-wide responsibility aimed at reducing the harms associated with the use of controlled substances in our communities.

The recommendations in the framework are intended to focus on system level solutions and act as guidance for health system leaders and organizations. The recommendations address identifying diversion, shared accountability and responsibility, a culture of safety, collaboration, transitions of care, and knowledge translation/sharing across the health system.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in hospitals are encouraged to become familiar with the recommendations, identify any gaps that might exist in their practice setting, and bring the framework to the attention of pharmacy and hospital leadership. It will be important to look for opportunities for collaboration with other healthcare professionals to identify where there is a role for pharmacy professionals to adjust, enhance or share practices around controlled substances. College hospital operations advisors will also share and discuss the framework with hospitals as part of their regular assessments.

Learn more about the Framework for Improving the Safety and Security of Controlled Substances in Hospital High Risk Areas on the OCP website.

ADDITIONAL PROGRESS MADE REGARDING THE COLLEGE’S OPIOID STRATEGY

The College is committed to supporting and complementing action undertaken by provincial and federal governments and other health system stakeholders to reduce opioid-related harms and prevent overdose and addiction. Initiatives and activities undertaken by the College that are aligned with the Opioid Strategy and its strategic priorities include:

Publication of an Opioid Dispensing in Ontario: 2018 Snapshot that provides an overall look at opioid dispensing patterns in community pharmacy in Ontario related to three areas of analysis that are considered high-risk dispensing practices
Sponsorship of and participation in the Partnered Table to Improve the Safety and Security of Controlled Substances in Hospital High Risk Areas to produce a framework that contains 13 recommendations to enable healthcare system stakeholders to proactively identify and prevent the diversion of controlled substances in hospitals
Development of an Opioid Policy outlining the College’s expectations for pharmacy professionals regarding opioids
Creation of an Opioid Practice Tool as a hub for relevant resources
Promotion of external resources on best opioid prescribing and dispensing practices
Education of pharmacy professionals on their obligations related to opioid security
Guidance on the dispensing of naloxone
Encouragement of interprofessional collaboration between prescribers and pharmacy professionals

The College continues to look for opportunities to address the strategic priorities identified in the Opioid Strategy and to address the opioid-related harms that are still having a significant impact on communities throughout the province.

THE COLLEGE’S OPIOID STRATEGY FOR PHARMACY

In 2017, the College published an Opioid Strategy for Pharmacy. The strategy, which was developed by the Opioid Task Force, addresses relevant areas of practice, and considers the health and social factors that are related to problematic opioid use. The full strategy was approved by College Council at its September 2017 meeting.

This strategy supports the College in meeting its mandate to serve and protect the public’s interest by:

advancing opioid-related education for pharmacy professionals,
improving harm reduction strategies and delivery of opioid dependence treatment,
preventing overdose and addiction by supporting evidence-based and appropriate dispensing practices, and
strengthening oversight of the provision of narcotic and controlled drugs to patients and the security of drug distribution.