Introduction
The standards, limits and conditions in this document set out the requirements for
prescribing18
- opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder, and/or
- pharmaceutical grade alternatives to illicit drugs for clients who are at risk of drug toxicity events and death (pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply).
These standards, limits and conditions do not apply to prescribing opioid agonists for pain and other symptoms.
Standards
1.
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Nurse practitioners prescribing opioid agonist treatment and/or pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply meet the standards, limits and conditions set out in
F. Prescribing Drugs.
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2.
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Nurse practitioners prescribing opioid agonist treatment and/or pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply apply knowledge about:
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a.
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substance use disorders including opioid use disorder
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b.
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treatment strategies for opioid use disorder (e.g. opioid agonist treatment, psychosocial treatment interventions)
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c.
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harm reduction strategies for substance use and opioid use disorder
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3.
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Nurse practitioners prescribe opioid agonist treatment and/or pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply in a manner that promotes client and public safety.
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Limits and Conditions
1.
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Nurse practitioners who prescribe opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder and/or pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply must:
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a.
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meet the education requirements of the
British Columbia Centre on Substance Use; and
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b.
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complete a preceptorship that meets the requirements of the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
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2.
| Nurse practitioners who prescribe opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder must apply the clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of opioid use disorder established by the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use. |
3.
| Nurse practitioners who prescribe pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply must: |
| a.
| follow clinical protocols as per the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction/Ministry of Health Access to Prescribed Safer Supply in British Columbia: Policy Direction or the guidance of the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use; and |
| b.
| participate in evaluation and monitoring of prescribing of pharmaceutical alternatives for safer supply as per the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction/Ministry of Health Access to Prescribed Safer Supply in British Columbia: Policy Direction. |
Footnotes
18
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Includes initiating, continuing, or discontinuing the prescribing of a drug.
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19
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Additional education is structured education (e.g. workshop, course, program of study) designed so that nurse practitioners can attain the competencies required to carry out a specific activity as part of nurse practitioner practice. Additional education builds on the entry-level competencies of nurse practitioners, identifies the competencies expected of learners on completion of the education, includes both theory and application to practice, and includes an objective, external evaluation of learners’ competencies on completion of the education. The terms does not refer to a course or program approved by BCCNP for BCCNP certified practice.
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