B.C. Updates Access To Life-Saving Medication For People At Risk Of Toxic Drug Poisoning

The province says it is already moving on recommendations from the provincial health officer on the Prescribed Safer Supply Program.

In addition to prescribed alternatives, the government says it is working on the expansion of treatment and recovery services, early intervention and prevention, supportive housing and more.

Dr. Bonnie Henry’s report highlights that access to prescribed alternatives is a critical option for people struggling with addiction and is often used in combination with medication-assisted treatments, such as opioid agonist treatment (OAT).

“Separating people from the poisoned drug supply so they can stabilize their lives and begin their own recovery journey is a critical part of our plan to save lives and connect people to care that works for them,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“I’m very grateful to Dr. Henry for her thorough review, and to the doctors, nurse practitioners, front-line health-care workers, and people with lived experience who shared their perspectives and expertise. It will help inform critical changes to the program so we can save more lives and help keep people safe as we also expand access to treatment, so more people can get the help they need.”

The report lays out recommendations for how the Province can update the program to save more people from illicit drug deaths and reduce the risks of prescription misuse.

Work will begin to expand medication options to better meet the needs of people at risk of toxic-drug poisoning.

Also, the Risk Mitigation Guidance for clinicians will be retired and a new guide be developed, providing pharmaceutical alternatives during emergencies.

The Risk Mitigation Guidance was originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support people with addictions who were required to isolate.

In addition, a provincial child-and-youth substance-use and wellness framework will be developed.

The framework will set the strategic direction for ministries, health authorities, community agencies and others to implement a more responsive and integrated youth substance-use system of prevention and care to improve addictions care for young people.

The name of the program will be changed from “prescribed safer supply” to “prescribed alternatives” to better describe the nature of the program.

A recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the prescribed alternatives program reduces the risk of death by as much as 91% in people with opioid-use disorder.

An estimated 4,300 people in B.C. receive medication through the prescribed alternatives program.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.