Eleven Canadians lost their life each day due to opioids in the first half of 2018. It is estimated that the number of opioid-related deaths is likely to continue to increase to 82,000 by 2025.
Opioid-related harms are not solely caused by illicit opioids but are also commonly due to prescription opioids dispensed every day in pharmacy practice. With many of the individuals having an active opioid prescription at the time of their death, pharmacists need to screen patients on prescription opioids, assess the risks of overdose, and regularly recommend take-home naloxone kits in case of an emergency. This program will provide pharmacists with practical tools to help identify patients at risk of opioid-related overdose, review the different naloxone formulations and discuss how to approach patients in their practice.