McGuinty Government Aims to Ensure Appropriate Prescribing, Dispensing and Use

NEWS

August 27, 2010

Ontario is taking action to curb the growing abuse of prescription narcotics and controlled substances, including those containing oxycodone.

Across North America, addictions, crime and deaths related to prescription drug abuse have increased significantly in recent years. Since 1991, prescriptions for oxycodone-containing products rose by 900 per cent. The number of oxycodone-related deaths in Ontario has nearly doubled since 2004.

To combat this growing problem, the province intends to introduce legislation this fall that would, if passed, help address the abuse of prescription narcotics, while ensuring access to pain medication for those who need it most.

As part of a new Narcotics Strategy, the province would track prescriptions through a new database that would flag unusual patterns of prescribing and dispensing. In instances of inappropriate activity, responses could include educational support and resources, reporting to the appropriate regulatory college and in extreme circumstances, law enforcement. In addition, the strategy would include more education to patients about the appropriate use of prescription narcotics.

The new Narcotics Strategy would put Ontario in line with six other provinces and 33 U.S. states that have prescription drug monitoring programs in place. 

QUOTES

 “We know that there is a serious narcotics abuse issue facing many Ontarians and their families throughout our province. We are taking a range of steps that reflect the severity of the issue.”

-- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“Ontario needs a system-wide program to address serious problems associated with prescription narcotics and controlled substances. Ontario’s plan to educate the public and health providers, as well as implement a system to monitor prescribing and dispensing, are critical steps forward.”

- Dr. Jack Mandel, President, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

QUICK FACTS

§  Ontario has the highest rate of narcotics use in Canada.

§  Narcotics abuse-related admissions to publicly funded treatment and addiction services in Ontario doubled from 2004-08.

§  The ministry spent $156 million on narcotics for Ontario Drug Benefit Program recipients in 2009-10, for 3.9 million
prescriptions. This equates to an average of over six prescriptions per person, and an annual cost of $260 per person.

§  A number of First Nations communities have declared a state of emergency over the abuse of prescription narcotics, particularly oxycodone-containing drugs.

§  Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy has been developed with the advice of the Narcotics Advisory Panel. Established in March 2009, the 12-member group includes family physicians, pain and addictions specialists, pharmacists, coroner’s office, professional regulatory bodies, and law enforcement.

LEARN MORE 

Find out more about Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy.

McGuinty Government Expanding Access to Care for Patients, Families

NEWS

August 23, 2010

NEWS

August 23, 2010

More patients in Ontario will have access to family health care thanks to 14 new Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics being created throughout the province.

Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, which offer a team-based approach to frontline health care, are opening in communities across the province over the coming months.  It is expected that all 25 clinics in the province will be operational in 2012, with most opening up sooner. These clinics will improve access to primary care for more than 40,000 Ontarians.

Nurse practitioners are able to treat common illnesses and injuries, and order lab tests, X-rays and other diagnostic tests.  Nurse practitioners work with doctors, nurses and other health care providers at the clinic.

Today’s announcement is a key part of the government’s Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients. 

QUOTES

“Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics are becoming an integral part of health care in Ontario. This investment means more access to quality health care closer to home for Ontarians.”

- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

"We are delighted with Minister's Deb Matthews' announcement today and we are eager for these 14 NP-Led Clinics to open their doors to the public as soon as possible. Ontarians living in these communities are the real winners of today's announcement, as they will experience improved access to primary care," says David McNeil, President of RNAO

"Nurse practitioners have a vital role to play in providing valued health services to Ontarians. The NPAO welcomes the addition of 14 more nurse practitioner-led clinics.”

- Paula Carere, President of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario

QUICK FACTS

§  Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics will work with public health units and other community-based health care providers to focus on services such as managing chronic disease, preventing disease, and health promotion. 

§  Ontario’s first nurse practitioner clinic opened in Sudbury in 2007 and provides primary health care to about 3,000 patients.

§  Ontarians can be connected to Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics through Health Care Connect and Your Health Care Options.

LEARN MORE

Read more about Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics

McGuinty Government Investing in Researchers and Equipment

NEWS

August 19, 2010

 
Ontario is helping researchers in Toronto find solutions to global challenges while creating jobs for the future.

Through the Ontario Research Fund–Research Infrastructure Program, the province is supporting 27 research projects at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. The program helps ensure that Ontario researchers have the tools they need to lead in their fields on the world stage.

In addition, through the Early Researcher Awards program, the province is helping 22 recently-appointed researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, St. Michael’s Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto build their research teams. Ontario’s support is encouraging scientific breakthroughs while creating jobs for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research assistants.

In Toronto, Ontario’s investments in world-leading research include support for:

·         Dr. Daniel Josef Mueller at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who is searching for the best drugs and dosages for psychiatric disorders

·         Dr. Katalin Szaszi at St. Michael’s Hospital, whose findings could lead to better treatments for kidney disease.

Funding world-class research is part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda to make innovation a driving force of Ontario’s economy, and supports the new Open Ontario Plan to build new opportunities for economic growth and jobs.

QUOTES

 “I am proud of the tremendous talent we have in Toronto – a research powerhouse in Ontario. Our government is helping them make discoveries that will lead to new companies and jobs, while ensuring a better quality of life for Ontarians and people around the world.”

–  Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation and MPP for Toronto Centre

QUICK FACTS 

§ The province is investing $7,575,029 to support these local projects.

§ Across the province, Ontario is supporting the work of 1,663 researchers at 21 institutions in 12 cities through 80  Early Researcher Awards and 104 Ontario Research Fund–Research Infrastructure projects.

 § Between 2005 and 2008, Ontario investments in research and innovation leveraged $1.1 billion while helping advance the knowledge, skills and training of close to 30,000 individuals.

 LEARN MORE

See the complete list of Ontario Research Fund–Research Infrastructure projects.

See the complete list of Early Researcher Awards projects.

Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.
Learn more about the Open Ontario Plan. 

McGuinty Government Focusing On Competitor Safety, Boosting Local Economies

NEWS

August 14, 2010

Ontario is taking steps to allow professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events in the province.

The province would adopt the same rules for professional MMA that are widely used across North America.  This announcement paves the way for the first regulated professional MMA event to be held in Ontario in 2011.

As MMA has grown in popularity throughout the world, many cities have reaped the economic rewards of hosting events. A major MMA event in Ontario could attract up to 30,000 fans and generate up to $6 million in local economic activity - everything from hotel rooms to restaurants and other stores and services.

While MMA events provide an economic benefit, Ontario’s priority is the safety of the competitors. By regulating professional MMA Ontario could enhance the safety of all participants by ensuring explicit safety and medical standards are met at licensed events.

QUOTES

“Our government has been monitoring MMA for some time.  We know that the sport has evolved and that Ontarians want to see it here. My goal is to make sure we have the tools to keep the competitors safe, and provide an economic boost to communities that want to host MMA events.”

- Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Consumer Services

QUICK FACTS

Six Canadian jurisdictions and 46 American states currently allow MMA.

At a 2008 professional MMA event in Montreal, online ticket sales indicate that 42% of ticket purchasers at the sold-out event were residents of Ontario

New Jersey was the first US state to allow professional MMA events in 2000.

LEARN MORE

 
Visit the Ministry of Consumer Services.