Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
@odprn
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network provides timely, high quality drug policy research impacting societal outcomes & improving healthcare systems
Join us for our upcoming Town Hall as we explore the experiences of people with long-term chronic conditions as well as their family/caregivers who have interacted with Patient Support Programs (PSPs). 📅 August 18, 2026 🕛 12:00–1:30 PM ET 🔗 odprn.ca/town-halls
NEW report examines the difference in opioid-related harms across occupations in Ontario. Opioid toxicity death rates vary across occupational sectors in Ontario, with the highest burden observed among workers in Construction & Trades and Natural Resources & Agriculture. odprn.ca/research/pub...
Who’s RxReady for drug policy and research? RxReady is a FREE, self-paced, online course designed to make drug policy and research concepts accessible to anyone interested in understanding how medications are studied, regulated, funded, and used in Canada. Learn more at www.odprn.ca/RxReady
Patient Support Programs (PSPs) are services designed to help patients access and manage their medications. Our upcoming Town Hall will explore experiences of those with long-term chronic conditions who have interacted with PSPs. 📅 August 18, 2026 🕛 12:00–1:30 PM ET Register at odprn.ca/town-halls
New free learning opportunity! RxReady is a free, online training course for anyone interested in learning more about drug policy, regulation, and research in Canada. Learn about drugs, drug policy, research, the role of patient partners, and real-world case examples. www.odprn.ca/RxReady
📰 The latest edition of ODPRN's Quarterly Newsletter is now available! Here’s what the ODPRN was up to this past Spring and what is coming up this Summer. odprn.ca/newsletters/
Upcoming Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Effective approaches to address unprecedented rates of death arising from the unregulated drug supply: Recent insights from British Columbia, 10 years after the declaration of a public health emergency 📅 Thursday, July 9, 2026 🕥 10:30 a.m. 📍 PB-850
New study shows that small changes in how benzodiazepines are prescribed can help prevent long-term use. Using shorter treatment courses, prescribing only one benzodiazepine, and choosing short-acting options were all linked to a lower risk of long-term use. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...
New update to our Opioid Indicator Tool! This update includes 2025 annual data, as well as monthly/quarterly data up to December 2025. The Harm Reduction dashboard also includes data for Q1 2026. Learn more at odprn.ca/ontario-opio...
NEW ODPRN study on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) use among First Nation Peoples in Ontario highlights evolving treatment patterns and access to care over the past decade. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...
NEW ODPRN study found that among older adults with insulin-treated diabetes in Ontario, immigrants were less likely than long-term residents to start using publicly funded flash glucose monitoring systems despite universal coverage. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...
NEW ODPRN Town Hall report on the growing use of Sublocade as a treatment option for opioid use disorder. Read the report + listen to the audio clips from 4 of the individuals who shared live during the Town Hall. odprn.ca/town-halls/s...
The ODPRN is currently seeking an epidemiologist for a 12-month temporary full time position. In this role, you will work collaboratively with other members of the ODPRN to develop research proposals and analysis plans for the research team. Learn more and apply at lnkd.in/etsMw6zK
New update to our Opioid Indicator Tool! This update includes data up to Q3 2025 and incorporates merged PHU data to reflect the 2025 PHU mergers. Learn more at odprn.ca/ontario-opio...
Upcoming webinar with CATIE and CanHepC will explore how recent changes are affecting harm reduction services and what can be done to support this public health response. 📅 April 20, 2026 🕐 1 to 2:30 p.m. EDT Register at www.catie.ca/harm-reducti...
New ODPRN study found early methadone dose titration was associated with improved treatment retention and lower hazard of opioid toxicity. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...
New ODPRN study finds a 3-fold increased risk of opioid toxicity when CYP3A4-inhibiting macrolides (clarithromycin, erythromycin) are used with opioids. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub... @icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social
NEW ODPRN study found increased uptake of safer opioid supply (SOS) among First Nations Peoples in Ontario, with the highest rates among those aged 25 - 44 and those living outside of First Nations communities and in urban areas. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...
New ODPRN study found RAPID uptake of Flash Glucose Monitoring system among both immigrants and long-term residents in the first few months of this product becoming publicly funded. odprn.ca/research/pub...
NEW ODPRN study found that prescriptions for stimulant medications for adults in Ontario increased during COVID-19. People starting these medications were more likely to be women and adults aged 25–34, and less likely to have their prescriptions initiated by psychiatrists. odprn.ca/research/pub...
New ODPRN study shows opioid agonist therapy use in Canada increased between 2018 and 2022, especially in rural areas & in provinces experiencing rising opioid-related harms. We also saw differences in access across provinces & a growing shift toward buprenorphine treatment. odprn.ca/research/pub...
📣Upcoming Webinar Alert! Making Research Matter: Approaches to Strengthen Connections between Research, Policy, and Community 📅 Tuesday, April 7 2026 | 1 - 2:30pm EST 🔗 Register: www.nihs.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/events-news/... Hosted by the Network for Improving Health Systems (NIHS) & the ODPRN
Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the ODPRN recognizes and celebrates the incredible contributions of women on our team and across the research and scientific community. 👩🔬 www.womeninscienceday.org #WomenInScience #IDWGS #HealthResearch #EvidenceInformed #ODPRN
New ODPRN study finds Ontario’s biosimilar policy achieved high biosimilar uptake and substantial cost savings, with most savings attributed to non-insulin biosimilars. Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...