The province is tightening safeguards around prescribed alternatives, as it completes the move to full witnessed dosing to curb medication diversion.

Beginning December 30th, everyone receiving prescribed alternatives will need to take their medication under the direct supervision of a health professional - typically a pharmacist or nurse - at the time it’s dispensed.

“Prescribed alternatives save lives by separating people at highest risk of overdose from toxic street drugs and predatory drug dealers, and give people a chance to get into treatment,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.

“To ensure these medications are used as intended, we are moving to witnessed dosing for all patients, and we are supporting pharmacists and prescribers as they implement this change. We will continue to closely monitor the situation to make sure people struggling with addiction can access the care and treatment they need, while also ensuring that medications are being taken by the people they are prescribed for.”

The shift began earlier this year and will now apply to all patients in the program.

The province says evidence shows the program is reducing overdose deaths.

A peer-reviewed study in the British Medical Journal found prescribed alternatives were linked to a sixty-one percent drop in deaths, and taking the medication for four days or more was tied to a ninety-one-percent reduction in deaths the following week.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.