This Opioid and Pain Management in Pharmacies (OPMPP) research study concluded in early 2025. This webpage is no longer being updated and is available solely to provide access to the OPMPP consultation resources. These resources may continue to support pharmacists when conducting medication reviews.
About These Resources
The opioid crisis continues to be a major public health concern. Community pharmacists are well positioned to play a greater role by providing effective opioid stewardship to reduce potential opioid misuse, abuse and harm. This includes supporting appropriate prescribing and dispensing of opioids and providing patient education to promote their safe and effective use.
The Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA), through funding from the Ontario Health Mental Health and Addictions Centre for Excellence, has developed an opioid and pain management intervention to support pharmacists in conducting medication reviews. Although the OPMPP research study has concluded, the consultation tools remain available as optional practice resources.
OPMPP Consultation Resources
- Initial Consult Worksheet A tool to help guide and document an initial opioid medication review with patients.
- Follow-up Worksheet A tool to help guide and document follow-up opioid medication reviews. Pharmacists should use professional judgement when determining whether follow-up appointments are appropriate.
- Primary Care Provider Notification Form A notification template that can be used to communicate with the patient’s primary care provider following an opioid medication review. For example, to request a new prescription or to communicate a change in a medication regimen.
Additional Resources
Opioid Stewardship
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Canada: Opioid Stewardship Resources for patients and healthcare providers to become better informed about opioids and to help reduce and prevent harm.
- Centre for Effective Practice: Opioid Manager A clinical tool developed to support the management of opioid prescriptions for patients with CNCP.
- Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA): Opioid Switching Form A form to assist pharmacists with switching opioids. Note: member login required.
- Centre for Effective Practice: Opioid Tapering Template An opioid tapering template that can be used to evaluate opioid therapies and reduce opioid dosages in safe and effective ways.
- OPA: Opioid Tapering Worksheet A tool to help pharmacists with opioid tapering.
- Canadian Pharmacists Association: Opioid Stewardship A list of webinars and tools discussing opioid stewardship for pharmacists.
Naloxone
- Canadian National Consensus Guidelines for Naloxone Prescribing by Pharmacists Practice guidelines for pharmacists that provides recommendations for naloxone prescribing, including that naloxone should be offered to everyone with an opioid prescription, in addition to practice implementation tips.
- OPA Webinar: Canadian National Consensus Guidelines for Naloxone Prescribing by Pharmacists A webinar involving a discussion of the guidelines by Professor Michael Beazely from the University of Waterloo.
- OPA: Pharmacist Clinical Tool for Initiating Naloxone Discussions A tool to assist pharmacists with initiating naloxone discussions with patients.
- University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy: Optimizing Naloxone Dispensing in Pharmacies A free online education program to improve knowledge and confidence in proactively offering naloxone in community pharmacies.
- OPA: Naloxone A webpage with additional resources about naloxone, including a naloxone kit supplies list, FAQs about naloxone kits, and marketing materials for pharmacies.
Stigma
- Addressing Stigma: Towards a More Inclusive Health System The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2019 which raises awareness that stigma is a public health issue that needs to be addressed by healthcare professionals by creating an inclusive approach to care.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Understanding Stigma A free online course for healthcare providers to examine stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours and identify strategies to decrease stigma in healthcare environments.
- CAMH: Addressing Stigma A webpage describing the effects of stigma and seven things that can be done to reduce stigma.
Motivational Interviewing and Shared-Decision Making
- Tapering Opioids Using Motivational Interviewing This article provides example discussions with patients using motivational interviewing techniques that can be helpful when tapering opioids.
- CFPC: Simplifying Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Chronic Pain: Motivational Interviewing A tool describing the steps for incorporating motivational interviewing into practice.
- Health Quality Ontario: Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain – Shared Decision Making and Information on the Potential Benefits and Harms of Opioids for Chronic Pain A quality statement that highlights the importance of shared decision-making when prescribing and dispensing opioids for chronic pain.
- The Ottawa Hospital: Patient Decision Aids A list of patient decision aids developed by the Ottawa Hospital that can be used to incorporate shared decision making in consultations. Notable aids include Depression, Herniated Disk, Osteoarthritis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Sleep Disorders.
Disclaimer: These resources were compiled by the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) and is provided to pharmacy professionals for informational purposes only in accordance with OPA’s Commitment to Content Quality and Integrity. OPA is not affiliated with and does not endorse the organizations or resources presented and the information provided may not be comprehensive. It is intended to assist pharmacy professionals but does not replace professional judgment and responsibilities. Some information in the above references may not be up to date but are provided for reference purposes. It is provided without warranty of any kind by OPA and OPA assumes no responsibility for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies therein. The decision for use and application of this information is the responsibility of the user. OPA assumes no liability for such use and application or any resulting outcomes. It is the responsibility of the pharmacy professional to use professional judgment in evaluating this material in light of any relevant clinical or situational data. It is intended to supplement materials provided by regulatory authorities, and should there be any discrepancies, municipal, provincial, and federal laws, policies and guidelines shall prevail. Pharmacy professionals are encouraged to use other resources that are appropriate and available to them. Unauthorized reproduction or use of these resources, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express written permission of OPA.