Share this page:

Share
Share
Print Email

Prescription Opioids and the Growing Crisis

There’s no silver bullet solution to solve the opioid crisis, but our health-care system can make strides forward.

Learn how e-prescribing can help prevent opioid fraud and misuse. 

Read Our Blog Post Download the Infographic

  • Canada is the second largest per capita consumer of prescription opioids in the world. 53 opioid prescriptions are filled for every 100 Canadians.
    Canada is the second largest per capita consumer of prescription opioids in the world. 53 opioid prescriptions are filled for every 100 Canadians.
  • Prescribed opioids are a factor in the crisis. 37% of patients admitted to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reported receiving opioids solely from physician prescriptions.
    Prescribed opioids are a factor in the crisis. 37% of patients admitted to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reported receiving opioids solely from physician prescriptions.
  • An estimated 2 in 5 prescribers are never notified of a patient’s drug misuse, or notified after the patient picks up the prescription.
    An estimated 2 in 5 prescribers are never notified of a patient’s drug misuse, or notified after the patient picks up the prescription.
  • An estimated 4,000 deaths in Canada were related to opioids in 2017.
    An estimated 4,000 deaths in Canada were related to opioids in 2017.
  • High numbers of Canadians have unused opioids following surgery, resulting in a surplus of opioids in medicine cabinets across the country that can be stolen or diverted.
    High numbers of Canadians have unused opioids following surgery, resulting in a surplus of opioids in medicine cabinets across the country that can be stolen or diverted.
  • PrescribeIT™ is a national not-for-profit service that allow prescriptions to be securely sent and cancelled electronically from a prescriber to a pharmacy, reducing the potential for opioid misuse.
    With e-prescribing, clinicians can prescribe opioids in small quantities, knowing that more can be prescribed remotely if needed.

 

PrescribeIT™ transmits prescription data via an encrypted two-factor authentication process. Prescription details are auto-populated directly into the pharmacy software from a doctor’s electronic medical record, preventing the fraud and misuse associated with handwritten and faxed prescriptions.

Related Resources

Tags:
Patient Safety Opioid Crisis Medication Safety