Health and Community Services
February 27, 2017

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Mandatory Safe Prescribing Course Launched for Physicians

A further step in the province’s Opioid Action Plan has been achieved with the successful development of a new mandatory safe prescribing course for physicians. Developed in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine, the course offers focused instruction on safe and appropriate prescribing practices for opioids, stimulants and benzodiazepines.

“Opioid use often begins in the physician’s office with a prescription pad. Our goal is proper education to arm health care providers with the information. This will allow them to make informed decisions about these powerful drugs, and ultimately, help curb prescription drug abuse.”
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

The course is mandatory for all new physicians seeking a licence in the province. It is also available to other health care providers, such as nurse practitioners, dentists and pharmacists. It will be made available online through MDcme.ca , a nationally accredited online portal for continuing medical education.

“The college is extremely pleased with the development of this safe prescribing course and warmly thanks the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for their tangible support in its development and for the professional course presentation through Dr. Curran and the Faculty of Medicine. The college has taken numerous actions to combat the misuse, abuse and diversion of opioids. This safe prescribing course is integral to college work in dealing with this Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador health crisis.”
- Dr. Linda Inkpen, Registrar, Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physicians and Surgeons

The safe prescribing course was developed by Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine and will be available online March 1, 2017.

“The Faculty of Medicine is committed to transforming health care for a healthier Newfoundland and Labrador. Establishing safe and appropriate prescribing practices is an important skill for our future physicians and this program will equip them with the knowledge to make informed decisions.”
- Dr. Margaret Steele, Dean, Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine

Implementation of the safe prescribing course is part of the provincial Opioid Action Plan which aims to arm health care providers and communities with the tools and information needed to respond to the growing epidemic of opioid use in Canada.

QUICK FACTS

• A new mandatory safe prescribing course for Newfoundland and Labrador physicians was launched today.
• It offers focused instruction on safe and appropriate prescribing practices for opioids, stimulants and benzodiazepines.
• The course will be available online March 1, 2017.
• This completes a further step in the province’s Opioid Action Plan.

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Media contacts:

Emily Timmins Media Relations Manager Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-6986, 709-693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca	Lorraine Phillips Secretary to Registrar (Acting) College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-778-4283 lphillips@cpsnl.ca
Virginia Middleton Senior Communications Advisor Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland 709-864-6363, 725-8157 vmiddleton@mun.ca

2017 02 27                              11:15 a.m.