Sask. nurses want prescribing power to tackle opioid addiction

Saskatchewan registerednurses will vote Thursdayon bylaw changes that would allow nurse practionersto prescribe medication to help people addictedto opioids.

Currently, doctors are the only people in the province who can prescribemethadoneor other opioidsubstitution therapies that can help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

The Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA) said that's not enough to meet the need and is looking at nurse practitioners to fill the gap.

"Enabling RN(NP)s as authorized prescribers will significantly impact the number of clients who can access this service with the goal of reducing the number ofopioidrelated deaths and poisonings in Saskatchewan," Joanne Petersen,SRNAPresident, said in a press release.

"The present need in our province outweighs the current number of authorized prescribers and authorising RN(NP)s to prescribe these drugs will make a substantial difference."

• B.C. nurse practitioners can now prescribe drugs for opioid addiction

SRNAExecutiveDirector Carolyn Hoffman saidthe associationhasheard from many nurses who saythey've witnessed a gap in service.

"And also a wide number of physicians, employers, patients, family members that there is not the access that they need for this type of service," she said.

According to Hoffman, nurse practitionerswould be required to take additional training in order to prescribe the medications if the bylaw came into effect. She estimated it would be a two to three day educational course.

The expanded powers would also meannurse practitioners could prescribe methadone forpatients dealing with pain, particularly those in palliative care.

"We're framing the bylaw so as new drugs emerge, we would be able to advance that as well."

Not allnurse practitioners would be required to start prescribing methadone, Hoffman said. It would be for nurses who were interested in the service and work in an area where it's needed.

Furthermore, she said they would work in teams andwould be evaluated continually.

Registered nurses will vote on the proposed bylaw changes Thursday at the SRNA annual meeting.

Hoffman said having a bylaw that governs the policy canensure transparency.

The SRNAsaid harm reduction strategies such as this are important responses to the national opioid crisis.