On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Health Canada and the provincial government announced that they are partnering with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba to increase training prescribers who can administer opiate replacement therapy.

“The opioid crisis continues to be one of the most serious public health issues in Canada’s recent history,” said federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor. “Throughout this project, the Government of Canada is helping to increase access to evidence-based treatment services in Manitoba. Together, we are supporting people with opioid use disorder in living healthier lives.”

Health Canada will be providing more than $2 million over the next five years to the province for the program. Manitoba will be contracting with the College to provide the necessary training to new prescribers such as doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.

“This project will ensure there are enough trained prescribers to provide opiate replacement therapy medications, such as suboxone and methadone, to Manitobans struggling with opioid use,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “By increasing the availability of opiate replacement therapy across the province, this partnership will ensure more people are able to receive these services and supports closer to home.”

A number of training sessions have already happened with 100 people completing the course. The province expects that over the next several years at least 400 more people will receive training.