Announcement: Health Canada Funding for Opioid Education Program for Physicians and Pharmacists

Prescription drug abuse is a significant public health and safety concern that can have devastating effects on individuals, families and entire communities. It was reported in an Ontario survey in 2013, that one in eight youth are using a prescription opioid drugs for non-medical purposes. On May 15th, at the Prescribing Practices Forum in Hamilton, Ontario, the Minister of Health Rona Ambrose announced the Government’s commitment to fighting prescription drug abuse. Health Canada, under the Anti-Drug Strategy Initiative, will be providing funding of $720, 330 (2015-2017) to the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy for an interdisciplinary initiative to reduce prescription opioid misuse. This involves the development and implementation of a collaborative, web- based education program to target physicians, pharmacists, students and trainees that will focus on applying evidence-based opioid management guidelines. Two of Gateway’s Board Members, Dr. Feng Chang, Chair of Rural Pharmacy and Dr. Agnes Kluz, Chair of Rural Senior Wellness, along with their team will lead this project.