Naturopathic doctors in British Columbia are calling on the provincial government to expand prescribing capabilities to provide a safer supply of medicines, and dozens have signed up for online training in an addiction support program.
BC Naturopathic Doctors said in a news release Thursday that more than 250 of its members are enrolled in the BC Substance Use Center’s provincial opioid addiction treatment support program.
“There is a critical shortage across the province of medical professionals who can prescribe medications to replace the toxic drug supply,” BCND President Vanessa Lindsay said in a news release.
“As primary care professionals, we are ready, available and have an excellent safety record when it comes to prescribing. We are asking you to remove the barriers that are holding you back.”
B.C.’s Safer Supply Policy was first introduced in 2021, five years after the province declared a public health emergency over drug-related deaths. Since then, the number of deaths due to drug addiction has continued to rise, reaching an all-time high in 2023.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the crisis, as the government shutdown has created barriers to accessing medical and harm reduction services. Similarly, the global drug trade has been disrupted and the toxicity of drugs has changed, Henry explained.
B.C.’s Ministry of Health describes naturopathy as “an alternative medical practice based on the belief that the body can heal itself.” Naturopathic doctors were given the authority to prescribe some drugs in the province in 2009, and 85% of the 700 licensed doctors have been prescribing them since 2010, according to BCND.
“British Columbia’s naturopathic doctors want to participate in an effective province-wide response to the tremendous challenges facing our health system by proposing constructive solutions that are in the public interest. “We’re working hard,” Lindsey said.
“Starting now, NDs can offer our expertise and become part of the medical team working to care for opioid-dependent patients. We hope that they will give us the opportunity to make the most of our skills and training.”More Life.” ”
BCND said its members do not have access to the in-person preceptor portion of BCCSU’s training program, which is necessary to prescribe safer medicines. Currently, naturopathic doctors, like everyone else, can access the online portion of the Opioid Addiction Treatment Assistance Program for free.
