OTTAWA, Nov. 17, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) commends the progress made by healthcare associations, governments, and other stakeholders in addressing the opioid crisis in Canada. On November 15^th, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction released the Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis: A Collective Response (Annual Report 2016–2017) at the Issues of Substance Conference. The report includes the CMPA's contribution over the past year to fulfill its commitments in responding to this crisis.

In November 2016, the CMPA participated in the two-day Opioid Summit, a national dialogue on actions to address and reduce the harms associated with opioid use in Canada, convened by the Canadian federal government and the province of Ontario. Following the summit, representatives and organizations, including the CMPA, committed to the Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis.

Highlights of the CMPA's progress and efforts during the past year (infographic) include:

• monitoring and reporting on medical-legal issues and lessons learned related to opioid prescribing;
• continuing to collaborate with organizations across Canada to promote system-level change and appropriate prescribing practices;
• delivering 15 in-person education sessions on medication safety and use of opioids, reaching more than 1,000 practitioners;
• publishing 7 articles on opioid safety and safe prescribing, which attracted more than 9,000 online views; and
• providing real-time support to physicians when questions arose in their practice. From May to August 2017, the CMPA responded to approximately 250 calls for advice about opioid prescribing.

"The severity of the ongoing opioid crisis is of national concern and requires a collaborative effort, both nationally and locally," said Dr. Hartley Stern, Chief Executive Officer of the CMPA. "We remain committed to working with stakeholders to facilitate safe opioid prescribing and to empowering better healthcare."

More information and resources about opioid prescribing are available on the Association's website or by request. CMPA members who have questions about the use of opioids in their practice are encouraged to contact the CMPA at 1-800-267-6522 to speak with a physician advisor.

About the CMPA:
The Canadian Medical Protective Association provides advice, legal assistance, and an extensive risk management education program to more than 95,000 physicians. It is the principal provider of medical liability protection in Canada and is governed by an elected council of physicians. As an essential component of the healthcare system, the CMPA is firmly committed to protecting the professional integrity of physicians and promoting safe medical care.

Related links:
CMPA website

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMPAmembers
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/canadian-medical-protective-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cmpamembers

SOURCE Canadian Medical Protective Association

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