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Guideline - Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

The Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain is a national, evidence-based guideline that provides 24 practice recommendations to assist physicians who are initiating opioid therapy, conducting an opioid trial and/or montoring long-term opioid therapy.

The guideline is not intended to be used as a policy or standard of practice, but as a practical resource to provide Canadian physicians with the best available information, research and consensus of opinion on this topic.

Complete versions of the guideline are available in English in electronic formats from the Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre at McMaster University. Practice tools and additional resources are available there also. A French edition of these documents will be completed as soon as possible.

In 2007, medical regulatory authorities from across Canada formed the National Opioid Use Guideline Group (NOUGG) to develop the guideline.

NOUGG will complete its work in 2010. It was supported by a research team and a national advisory panel of pain specialists, family physicians, addiction experts, pharmacists, academics, nurses and patient representatives.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador participated in developing the guideline. Dr. Robert Young served on NOUGG while Dr. John Collingwood and Dr. Lydia Hatcher served on the advisory panel.

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