NPs could get power to prescribe replacement drugs

Nurse practitioners are a step closer to helping those with opioid addiction.

Working closely with physicians and other health team members, it’s expected NPs will soon be able to prescribe medications, such as methadone, for opioid use disorder and palliative care patients, said Carolyn Hoffman, executive director of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA).

Some of the most commonly prescribed opioid medications — Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet — are used for acute pain management, but opioid use disorder occurs when someone takes these drugs for no legitimate medical purpose, or if another medical condition is present but the doses exceed the amount needed.

The SRNA expects a bylaw that originally gave NPs the ability to prescribe certain medications will be amended to allow them to prescribe drugs for opioid use disorder.

As the regulator for registered nurses in the province, the SRNA looked at analysis and feedback from health system partners, including NPs and physicians. They found there is an insufficient number of authorized prescribers in Saskatchewan who can prescribe medication for opioid use disorder and managing pain — especially for palliative patients, Hoffman said.

“We’re in the middle of an opioid crisis in Canada,” Hoffman said. “Our members are very eager and involved in making sure that they ’re partners in delivering what’s needed for patients and families.”

The SRNA’s groundwork began several years ago by looking across Canada to determine if NPs were prescribing opioid replacements in other provinces, which they were.

The regulatory body’s next step was to consult with many health partners, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, the College of Pharmacy Professionals and the Ministry of Health.

“The regulation of nurse practitioners, like the regulation of all health professionals, is within a very complex system and if you’re going to do it well, you have to reach out to all of those partners to make sure that they’re doing it in collaboration and using best practices,” Hoffman said.

The SRNA will present the proposed bylaw amendments to its members at its annual meeting in May.

Hoffman is confident members will approve the amendments, so the SRNA is moving forward to flesh out the bylaw requirements so NPs are very clear about what would be expected for their practice.

Over the coming months, the SRNA will work with members and partners to finalize work.