The effects of a provincial opioid prescribing standard on prescribing for pain in adults: an interrupted time-series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2016, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia released a legally enforceable opioid prescribing practice standard for the treatment of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP); it was revised in 2018 in response to concerns that it was misinterpreted. We aimed to test the effects of the practice standard on access to opioids for people treated for CNCP, living with cancer, or receiving palliative care.

Methods

We used comprehensive administrative health data from Oct. 1, 2012, to Mar. 31, 2020, and multiple baseline interrupted time-series analysis to evaluate the effects of the 2016 practice standard and 2018 revision in cohorts of people treated for CNCP, living with cancer, or receiving palliative care.

Results

The 2016 practice standard accel

SUBMITTER: Panagiotoglou D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12077321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature