In response to the ongoing opioid overdose crisis, some clinicians in Canada have started prescribing immediate release hydromorphone (IRH) to help prevent harm arising from the use of opioids from the toxic unregulated drug supply. This practice is often referred to as safer opioid supply and is considered a harm reduction measure.
This study found that safer supply IRH prescribing for people with opioid use disorder has increased since 2016 in Ontario, with the most rapid growth occurring since 2018. The study also characterized people receiving IRH, duration of use, and associated prescriber attributes.
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