New opioid addiction treatment guideline in effect as of June 5, 2017

May 26, 2017

On June 5, 2017, BC physicians involved in opioid addiction treatment switch to a new guideline from the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU). “A Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder” will replace the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC's (CPSBC) “Methadone and Buprenorphine: Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Use Disorder.” Among the recommendations, the Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder strongly endorses the use of buprenorphine/naloxone as the preferred first-line treatment option for opioid use disorder, as well as sets out the risks and benefits of buprenorphine/naloxone relative to methadone. 

The CPSBC will still be responsible for exemptions for physicians prescribing analgesic methadone, monitoring prescription of controlled substances in BC, and maintaining the provider services registry. The BCCSU assumes all other responsibilities.

The BCCSU is also partnering with UBC Continuing Professional Development to offer the Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Program. Combining an online learning environment with in-person preceptorship, this CME opportunity is scheduled to launch in early July, 2017.

For more resources from the BCCSU, please see the following: