Opioids are a family of drugs that typically are used to treat pain but are also known for giving users a feeling of euphoria. The harms caused due to use of these drugs often lead to addiction, overdose and even death. A study by the Canadian Institute for Health Research found that opioid-related deaths in Ontario doubled between 1991 and 2010 with the highest incidence being among young adults. An earlier study undertaken by this research team found that WCB claimants in the age group 18-65 years were prescribed higher dosages of opioids and had longer durations of opioid use compared to other Manitobans for non-cancer pain.
This study aims to explore the impact of the WCB’s Opioid Medication policy by comparing usage and physician prescribing practices before and after the policy’s introduction between WCB claimants and other Manitobans. It would build on similar work done by these researchers before the introduction of the WCB’s policy in 2011. The study would identify the total amount of opioids prescribed per person per year, determine if the WCB’s policy has led to a decrease in opioid usage, identify the proportion of WCB recipients being prescribed high dose opioids greater than 120 morphine equivalents (ME) a day, and compare the continued use of opioids among these study populations before and after the policy’s introduction.
The findings would demonstrate if the WCB’s policy has impacted opioid usage among injured workers or changed the prescribing practices of physicians since the policy’s implementation. The study would provide evidence for future policy development around the use of opioids in the return to work process. The findings from this study would also be of use to the WCB Manitoba’s healthcare department and compensation services and could be applied as well to knowledge transfer and exchange initiatives to Manitoba’s medical community.