Prescribing tools and resources

Sample treatment agreements

Treatment agreements help ensure patients understand their role and responsibilities regarding their treatment, the responsibilities of the prescribing physician and the conditions under which the treatment may be terminated.

Sample opioid treatment agreement

Sample benzodiazepine receptor agonist treatment agreement

Tools and toolkits

ResourceDescriptionOrganizationAccess
Safe prescribing tool kitSteps outlining CPSBC's practice standard Safe Prescribing of Opioids and SedativesCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of BCDownload PDF
Less Sedatives for Your Older RelativesA toolkit for reducing inappropriate use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics among older adults in hospitalsChoosing Wisely CanadaDownload PDF
Opioid ManagerPoint of care tool that condenses key elements from the Canadian Opioid Guideline and can be used as a chart insertToronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health NetworkDownload PDF
Narcotic log sampleSample spreadsheet for keeping track of controlled drug administration and purchasing recordsCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of BCDownload PDF

Deprescribing and tapering guidelines

ResourceDescriptionOrganizationAccess
Michael G. DeGroote National Pain CentreClinical practice guidelines for pain managementMcMaster UniversityVisit website
Deprescribing.orgDeprescribing guidelines to support health care providers and patients in reducing or stopping medications that may be harmful or no longer neededBruyère Research InstituteVisit website
Antidepressant withdrawal effects and how to safely stop them: The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines approachMaudsley Deprescribing Guidelines for safely stopping antidepressants, distinguishing withdrawal from relapse, and applying hyperbolic tapering techniquesTherapeutics Initiative, University of British ColumbiaVisit website

Resources for prescribers

ResourceDescriptionOrganizationAccess
Benzodiazepines: Best Practices in Primary Care BulletinBest practices for benzodiazepine prescribing in primary care, including indications for prescribing, when to offer and optimize non-pharmacologic first-line treatments, potential risks associated with long-term prescribing, and when de-prescribing may be appropriate.British Columbia Centre on Substance UseVisit website
How to talk to patients about addictionArticle on how clinician’s word choices and objective actions can guide people in chronic pain through opioid use disorder and into effective treatment.Practical Pain ManagementVisit website
Stop sleeping pillsUsing CBTi to help reduce and eliminate sleeping pill use.SleepwellVisit website
Growing Role of Gabapentin in Opioid-Related Overdoses Highlights Misuse Potential and Off-label Prescribing PracticesArticle on growing evidence of misuse and overdoses involving gabapentin JAMA NetworkVisit website
Managing Patients with Chronic Pain - Part 1Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic painGovernment of BCVisit website
Managing Patients with Chronic Pain - Part 2Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic painGovernment of BCVisit website
Navigating opioids for chronic painInfographic comparing morphine equivalenceInstitute for Safe Medication Practices CanadaDownload PDF
Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practicePrescribing guidelines for general practiceRoyal Australian College of General PractitionersVisit website
Pharmacists ClinicOffers patients and health-care professionals access and expertise to drug therapy specialistsUniversity of British ColumbiaVisit website
RxFilesOpioid and pain related linksRxFiles Academic Detailing, University of SaskatchewanDownload PDF
Pain Management & Opioids: Addressing Important Challenges and Introducing a Chronic Pain & Opioids Mini-BookRxFiles newsletter (Fall 2017)RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of SaskatchewanDownload PDF
Tapering Opioids:
How to Explore and Pursue the Option
for Patients Who Stand to Benefit		RxFiles newsletter (Spring 2018)RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of SaskatchewanDownload PDF
Medications and risk of motor vehicle collision responsibility
in British Columbia, Canada: a population-based
case-control study		Article on the risk of collision responsibility associated with common classes of prescription
medications		Lancet Public HealthDownload PDF
PEER Simplified Chronic Pain Guideline: SummaryTreatment interventions for discussion with patientsThe College of Family Physicians of CanadaDownload PDF
BC ECHO on Substance UseBC ECHO on Substance Use is a provincial community of practice that aims to build capacity within primary care to treat and manage substance use disorders (SUDs) through monthly Project ECHO sessions and a monthly newsletter with information about SUD-related events, resources, and newsBritish Columbia Centre on Substance UseVisit website
Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adultsGuideline for prescribing and managing withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, Z-drugs and antidepressants in primary and secondary careNational Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceDownload PDF
Before starting medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptomsVisual summary of recommendations to support prescribers before starting treatment with an opioid, benzodiazepine, gabapentinoid, Z-drug or antidepressantNational Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceDownload PDF

Resources for patients

ResourceDescriptionOrganizationAccess
Patient pamphletsPlain language and patient-friendly materials to help patients learn about tests and treatmentsChoosing Wisely CanadaVisit website
Let's Talk About OpioidsResources for reducing the incidence of opioid misuse, overdose, and death and effective treatment of addictionMedical Associates of Port Perry and North Durham Family Health TeamVisit website
Toward the HeartProvincial harm reduction initiative designed to equip members of the public to respond in case of an opioid overdoseBCCDC Harm Reduction ServicesVisit website
Take Home Naloxone kits and programAccess Take Home Naloxone kits and learn how to respond to an opioid overdoseBCCDC Harm Reduction ServicesVisit website
Take Home Naloxone site finderFind a community pharmacy that provides free naloxone kitsBCCDC Harm Reduction ServicesVisit website

Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise (RACE)

RACE was created to enhance patient care and provide timely treatment advice.

Easier access to the specialist reduces wait times or eliminates the need for referral, and can triage utilization of walk-in or emergency department services. The family physician or nurse practitioner may phone the RACE line and either speak to a specialist immediately, or receive a return call within two hours.

RACE is available in the following regions:

Visit the RACE website for more information

Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RAAC)

The RAAC is designed to connect patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders with evidence-based treatment including Suboxone or methadone in order to stabilize the patient in the short term, and subsequently transfer them to a community care provider for ongoing monitoring, support and rehabilitation. 

For patients without a regular health care provider, the RAAC will assist in linking them to one. All services are free.

RAAC is available in the following regions: