Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN)
Quarterly Newsletter
May 2015

In This Issue:

The ODPRN has launched a new website!
New ODPRN Publications and Reports
ODPRN in the News
Student Training Program
Drug Class Reviews
Congratulations to the ODPRN Team!
 

The ODPRN has Launched a New Website!
 

The ODPRN recently re-designed and launched a new website!  Check it out at:  www.odprn.ca
 

New ODPRN Publications and Reports


Rates of ischemic stroke during warfarin treatment for atrial fibrillation
Among patients included in this study with atrial fibrillation, the highest rate of ischemic stroke occurred during the first 30 days of warfarin therapy.
Click here to view a copy of this publication.

Neonatal opioid withdrawal and antenatal opioid prescribing
The incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal in Ontario has increased substantially over the last 20 years.  Most of the women in this study who delivered an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome had received a prescription for an opioid both before and during their pregnancy.
Click here to view a copy of this publication.

Safety of valproic acid in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Among older patients with COPD, treatment with valproic acid does not increase the risk of adverse pulmonary outcomes relative to phenytoin.
Click here to view a copy of this publication.

Alcohol use disorder and treatment in Ontario between 2011 and 2013:  a brief report by the ODPRN
A small proportion of individuals with a hospital alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis receive a first-line AUD medication within a year.  Further research is needed to describe characteristics of these individuals more thoroughly.
Click here to view a copy of this report.

Opioid related deaths in Ontario between 1991 and 2010: a report by the ODPRN
Between 1991 and 2010, there were 5,935 deaths from opioid-related causes. The opioids most commonly involved in opioid-related deaths were morphine and/or heroin (or the two combined), followed by oxycodone, methadone and codeine.
Click here to view a copy of this report.
 

ODPRN in the News


Rates of ischemic stroke during warfarin treatment for atrial fibrillation
Results from this publication were featured in CBC News

Neonatal opioid withdrawal and antenatal opioid prescribing
Results from this publication were featured in CBC News

Opioid related deaths in Ontario between 1991 and 2010:  a report by the ODPRN
This report was featured in a Toronto Star article examining Canada's invisible codeine problem.

 

Student Training Program


The ODPRN Student Training Program is dedicated to recruiting and training students to conduct drug policy research.  The ODPRN has recently accepted a new Master's student and a new summer student into the program.  Ms. Sarah Bota (MSc) will be working with Dr. Amit Garg for 1 year through the London Health Sciences Center.  Ms. Nikita Arora (summer student) will be working with the ODPRN Formulary Modernization Unit until September 2015.
 

Drug Class Reviews


Active Reviews

Respiratory Reviews Antipsychotics in the Elderly
  • The Final Consolidated Reports and Reimbursement Options will be available in May/June 2015.
Drugs for Chronic Hepatitis B
  • The Draft Consolidated Reports and Reimbursement Options will be available for stakeholder review and feedback in May/June 2015.
Cognitive Enhancers
  • The Draft Consolidated Reports and Reimbursement Options will be available for stakeholder review and feedback in July 2015.
Drugs for ADHD
  • The Draft Consolidated Reports and Reimbursement Options will be available for stakeholder review and feedback in September/October 2015.
New Reviews

Allergens
  • The ODPRN will be conducting a review of allergen immunotherapy.  Draft Comprehensive Research Plans will be available for stakeholder review and feedback in May/June 2015.
  • The ODPRN Qualitative Program is currently recruiting allergists and general practitioners to participate in interviews.  Interested individuals can contact Alekhya Mascarenhas at mascarenhasa@smh.ca.
  • The ODPRN is currently accepting Evidence Submission Packages from external stakeholders until June 17 2015.
Overactive Bladder Agents
  • The Draft Comprehensive Research Plans will be available for stakeholder review and feedback in June 2015.
  • The ODPRN is currently accepting Evidence Submission Packages from external stakeholders until June 17 2015.

Congratulations to the ODPRN Team!

  • The ODPRN was the winner of the bronze award for the 2014 IPAC/Deloitte Public Sector Leadership Award in the Healthcare and Education category.  Click here to watch a summary video of the ODPRN!
  • The ODPRN conducted a panel presentation entitled:  "Drug Class Reviews:  Bridging Evidence, Values and Health Policy" at the 2015 CADTH Symposium in Saskatoon, SK on April 13, 2015.
  • Jessie Elliott, who is a member of the ODPRN's Systematic Review Team, which is led by Dr. George Wells from Ottawa, Ontario recently won an award at the 2015 CADTH Symposium for best overall poster award.  The poster was entitled:  "Efficacy and Safety of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men with Androgen Deficiency: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis."  Congratulations Jessie!
  • The ODPRN recently held a webinar on "Opioid Use and Misuse" on March 9 2015 where they presented their collection of research around opioid utilization and safety to over 100 individuals.  Given the success of this webinar, we plan to organize future webinars reporting other areas of our research.

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

30 Bond Street
Toronto ON
M5B 1W8

Remember to follow us on twitter @ODPRN_Research