As part of the Action Plan for Health Care, the Ontario government is taking further action to reduce the abuse of prescription narcotics and controlled substance medications. A new narcotics monitoring system has been introduced that will track all prescription narcotics and other controlled substance medications dispensed in Ontario.
The monitoring system will help to ensure appropriate prescribing, dispensing and use of narcotics by issuing a real-time alert to pharmacies when cases of double-doctoring (the same prescription being prescribed by more than one doctor), or multiple pharmacy visits are detected. The information collected also allows for the development of strategies to better protect patients and ensure the appropriate prescribing and use of narcotics.
For more information on this portion of the Action Plan and the Narcotics Strategy, go to www.health.gov.on.ca.