Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

NEW ODPRN study shows high variability in harm reduction supply distribution and opioid-related mortality across Public Health Units (PHUs) in Ontario.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social

NEW ODPRN study found that nearly 60% of patients who began take-home methadone treatment during the first month of COVID-19 switched back to daily supervised dosing within 6 months.

Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social

#methadone #OAT

New 2025 Q2 data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

Note that the decrease in Q1&Q2 2025 reflects the continuation of a trend that began in Q3 2024.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...

Canada needs to tackle escalating opioid use among young people, doctors say Physicians fear the crisis will continue to get worse for decades if immediate action is not taken

“Opioids have a place in clinical practice, but it’s really about making sure that when they are accessed, [...] people have tried other alternatives, and that they’re prescribed as low dose and short a time period as possible”-Tara Gomes @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

The use of prescription #opioids to treat acute pain has decreased in Canada in recent years. But there’s still a need for national information on prescription opioid use specific to different populations. Read the study led by St. Michael’s researchers here: unityhealth.to/2025/10/opio... @cmaj.ca

Opioid prescriptions are going down in Canada, a new study finds. Here’s why The study reflects “efforts that have been made to promote this more careful and appropriate prescribing across the country,” author says.

"The vast majority of those deaths are happening among people who are not getting prescribed those opioids but who are accessing the illicit drug supply" - @taragomes.bsky.social talks about our recent study on prescription opioid use for pain in with @thestar.com

www.thestar.com/news/canada/...

NEW ODPRN Town Hall report on pharmacists providing Minor Ailments Services in Ontario

Read the report + listen to the audio clips from 6 of the individuals who shared live during the Town Hall.

odprn.ca/town-halls/m...

#minorailments #pharmacistprescribing #pharmacy

‼️ APPLICATIONS CLOSE TONIGHT ‼️

Don't forget to submit your application to the FREE ODPRN student training program!

Apply at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

New study examined trends in prescription opioid dispensing for pain across Canada and found declines that aligned with national efforts to promote more appropriate opioid use for pain management.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social
@inesss.qc.ca
@unityhealthto.bsky.social

The latest Patented Medicine Prices Review Board CompassRx report shows that public drug plan prescription expenditures grew by 7.4% in 2022/23, reaching $14.1 billion.

Details available from the Government of Canada at
www.canada.ca/en/patented-...

Check out our student training program, applications close October 28!

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

New initiative for testing local drug supply DIY Community Health receives clearance from Health Canada to collect local samples

Health Canada has approved an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for DIY Community Health to operate a drug checking service in Timmins, which aims to provide more locally accurate data regarding the toxic drug crisis.

#timmins

www.timminspress.com/news/new-ini...

New study co-authored by CP3’s Dr. Katie Suda found that antibiotic durations for common infections in older adults are often longer than guidelines recommend, highlighting opportunities to reduce overuse and improve antimicrobial stewardship.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41050542/

⌛ Less than 2 weeks left to apply to the ODPRN Student Training Program!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to network with leaders in the field of drug policy research and earn a certificate through the ODPRN.

There is no cost to participate in this program!

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

We are excited to announce our new website is now live!

Check it out at odprn.ca

Check out our latest research minute highlighting our new study on the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use among individuals with atrial fibrillation.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

#atrialfibrillation #doac

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social

Findings from our new study support the real-world effectiveness and safety of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use among individuals with atrial fibrillation.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

There is still time to apply for the student training program!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn and network with expert researchers and ministry representatives in the field of drug policy.

⏳Deadline to apply is October 28

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

Ontario opioid deaths nine times higher among First Nations people amid questions over treatment - Investigative Journalism Bureau The treatment meant to save Niibin Pahpeguish’s life began to feel like a prison. After almost a decade battling an addiction that began with prescribed painkillers and later escalated to street opioi...

“Clearly there’s disproportionate harm among First Nations People, clearly they are accessing treatment, but perhaps not always in the best way or a way that is supportive of them,” - @taragomes.bsky.social

@chiefsofontario.bsky.social
@ijbstories.bsky.social

ijb.utoronto.ca/news/governm...

First Nations people in Ontario disproportionately affected by opioid crisis, new report shows - Chiefs of Ontario (Toronto, Ont.–Oct. 6, 2025) Opioids are killing and harming First Nations people in Ontario at an alarming rate much higher than non-First Nations people in the province, according to a new report re...

“We need more resources, not fewer, to protect our people, safeguard our future, and provide the support essential for healing," - said Regional Chief Benedict, speaking about the ODPRN report in collaboration with @chiefsofontario.bsky.social

chiefs-of-ontario.org/first-nation...

The Drug Policy Student Training Program provides students with free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy. Applications for our 2026 cohort is open, apply today at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

Screenshot of an academic paper titled "Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions and Drug Shortages on Drug Utilization: A Scoping Review." The paper is labeled as an "Original Article" and marked "Open Access." Authors listed are Araniy Santhireswaran, Shanzeh Chaudhry, Martin Ho, Kaitlin Fuller, Etienne Gaudette, Lisa Burry, and Mina Tadrous, each with superscript numbers indicating institutional affiliations.

How do drug shortages affect medication use?

A study by Araniy Santhireswaran & Prof. Mina Tadrous @pharmacy.utoronto.ca reviewed studies on drug shortages & found that drug shortages often lead to significant reductions in drug utilization.

🔗Read more
bit.ly/4nRoc62

Dashboards on the Ontario Opioid Indicator Tool has been updated with annual and monthly/quarterly data up to March 2025!

All data available at
odprn.ca/ontario-opio...

💊 Taking multiple medications? 5 questions to ask

To mark Canadian Patient Safety Week, join our free webinar to learn 5 key questions to ask about your medications.

📅 Oct 29th at 12 PM ET (English) / 2 PM ET (French)
🔗 Register: deprescribingnetwork.ca/5q-webinar

Open to all audiences!

Ontario expands pharmacists’ scope and plans broader roles for optometrists, psychologists, physiotherapists & more. These changes aim to boost access, cut wait times & ease pressure on ERs and family doctors. #ONhealth #Pharmacy

news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...

The Drug Policy Student Training Program provides students with free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy. Applications for our 2026 cohort is open, apply today at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

August data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

🚨There were 198 suspect drug-related deaths reported in August 2025 in Ontario.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...

New ODPRN study found that from Jan 2018 - Jun 2022, majority of alcohol toxicity deaths in Ontario occurred among men, people aged 25–44, in private residences, and involved other non-alcohol substances.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

Update from Toronto's Drug Checking Service shows carfentanil was found in 14% (18) of the fentanyl samples collected in Toronto - the most they have seen in a month to date.

View the data at: drugchecking.community

View their post at: www.instagram.com/p/DOJTpmWDq4J

The ODPRN is now accepting applications for our 2026 Drug Policy Student Training Program! Free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy.

To learn more and apply, visit: odprn.ca/about-the-od...