News More Canadian doctors should consider prescribing pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs, minister says

[S.J.B.]

More Canadian doctors should consider prescribing pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs, minister says
Camille Bains
CBC
20 Jul 2022

Excerpt:

Canada's minister of mental health and addictions says more doctors across the country should be willing to prescribe a safer supply of drugs to reduce overdoses instead of fearing they will face barriers from their regulatory colleges.

Carolyn Bennett said a guidance document by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia could be very helpful in other provinces and territories.

"We are, I think, a bit limited at the moment, frankly, because of some of the approaches of the colleges of physicians and surgeons across the country,'' Bennett told a news conference Wednesday.

"Physicians have felt that they would not be able to do this without being investigated by [their] college, unfortunately.''

The B.C. college has said physicians who prescribe pharmaceutical-grade alternatives to street drugs as part of a comprehensive treatment plan or a stand-alone harm reduction strategy could better support patients and reduce their risk of overdose and death.

 

[thegreenhand]

i've been very impressed with Canada's push for safe supply over the last few years. here in the US it's still very much a fringe idea, you'd never see a NIDA or SAMSHA executive saying this

 

[S.J.B.]

i've been very impressed with Canada's push for safe supply over the last few years. here in the US it's still very much a fringe idea, you'd never see a NIDA or SAMSHA executive saying this

It is heartening, although unfortunately it still depends on individual physicians making the choice to involve themselves in it. Unless they are motivated to do so, the safe choice for most will be to abstain.

 

[thegreenhand]

It is heartening, although unfortunately it still depends on individual physicians making the choice to involve themselves in it. Unless they are motivated to do so, the safe choice for most will be to abstain.

that's a good point. Do you think the movers and shakers on this issue will eventually get to the point of advocating for open sales in pharmacies without a prescription (though probably stored behind the counter and requiring a consult with the pharmacist) ?

 

[S.J.B.]

that's a good point. Do you think the movers and shakers on this issue will eventually get to the point of advocating for open sales in pharmacies without a prescription (though probably stored behind the counter and requiring a consult with the pharmacist) ?

Yeah, eventually. Having to have a doctor's appointment is a huge barrier.