New journal article: Pharmacist-led strategy to address the opioid crisis: The Medication Assessment Centre Interprofessional Opioid Pain Service

In an effort to provide better access to interprofessional chronic pain management, the Medication Assessment Centre (MAC) has recently launched the Medication Assessment Centre Interprofessional Opioid Pain Service (MAC iOPS), using an innovative, pharmacist-led, interprofessional approach.

By Kieran Kobitz

The MAC, established in 2011, is a pharmacist-led patient care clinic, supported by the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. In November 2019, with the support of funding from the Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions Program, patient care services at the MAC were expanded with the creation of the MAC iOPS, to offer interprofessional care to Saskatchewan residents living with chronic pain.

The MAC iOPS aims to:

  1. optimize pain control, function and quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain;
  2. reduce the risk of medication-related harms for individuals taking prescribed medications for chronic pain; and
  3. improve primary care providers’ access to an interdisciplinary team with experience in managing chronic pain to support practice change in the areas of chronic pain and opioid prescribing.

The innovative approach of the MAC iOPS aims to capitalize on the expertise of pharmacists working within an interprofessional team to increase access to chronic pain care and strengthen the capacity for chronic pain management within Saskatchewan. 

Read the full article.