3. Buprenorphine/naloxone Prescribing for MAINTAINING (Non-Initiating) Physicians for OPIOID USE DISORDER
Nothing in this policy applies to a physician who:
- - provides buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in an Emergency Department following a protocol established by the Saskatchewan Health Authority or the hospital in which it is prescribed; or,
- - provides buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in hospital to maintain a patient who is receiving buprenorphine/naloxone treatment prior to their hospitalization; or,
- - provides buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in a correctional facility to maintain a patient who is receiving buprenorphine/naloxone treatment prior to their incarceration.
Physicians who provide buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in such circumstances should be aware of and follow the College’s document Opioid Agonist Therapy Program Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder.
Physicians authorized to prescribe ONLY buprenorphine/naloxone in the management of opioid use disorder in stable patients are:
- 1. Required to understand buprenorphine/naloxone pharmacology. Completion of an OAT workshop/course recognized by the CPSS is strongly recommended.
- 2. Required to agree to follow the Policies or Standard of the CPSS related to the prescribing of buprenorphine/naloxone as they may exist from time to time.
- 3. Required to agree to participate in a program of continuing medical education related to the prescribing of buprenorphine/naloxone and/or addiction medicine as may be required by the CPSS Policies or Standards from time to time.
- 4. Required to agree to participate in an audit of their prescribing of buprenorphine/naloxone if requested by the CPSS Registrar.
- 5. Required to agree to an interview with the CPSS Registrar or their designate, if requested.
- 6. Required to have an ongoing association with an experienced Initiating Prescriber who serves as a resource to the Maintaining Prescriber.
- 7. Required to have access to the Saskatchewan electronic Health Record (eHR) Viewer to permit monitoring of prescribed medications, as well as laboratory results for those patients to whom they prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone.
- 8. Required to have access to appropriate laboratory services to perform urine drug testing or to collect, store and transport urine for drug testing for those patients to whom they prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone.
- 9. Required to have access to counseling and pharmacy services.
- 10. Required to make efforts to provide non-pharmacological support to their patients (e.g. addiction services, counseling, harm reduction, community programs, etc.)
- 11. Required to plan for after-hour care of their OAT patients if they are not available from another prescriber trained in OAT according to standards described in the CPSS OATP Standards & Guidelines.
- 12. Required to ensure any OAT patient under their care receives continued care from another physician trained in OAT according to standards described in the CPSS OATP Standards & Guidelines when they are going to be away or are suspending their practice.
I Dr._______________________ have received, read and agree with the policy of Council dated __________ with respect to my request to become a buprenorphine/naloxone prescriber for the purpose of treating opioid use disorder in stable patients. I will comply with this policy if I am granted approval by the Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (or approval from their designate).
Sign_____________________
Print_____________________
Date_____________________
STATUS:
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APPROVED
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Approved by Council:
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November 2018
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Amended:
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March 2019
June 2022
November 2022
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To be reviewed:
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June 2027
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