{
  "id": 12421913,
  "title": "Ontario’s medical regulator proposing sweeping changes to prescribing safer supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/ontarios-medical-regulator-proposing-sweeping-changes-to-prescribing-12421913",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-06T16:48:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/06/ontario-changes-prescribing-medications-safe-drugs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ontario's College of Physicians and Surgeons is considering significant revisions to the regulations surrounding safer supply prescriptions. Safer supply refers to the prescribing of medications to high-risk individuals as an alternative to street-obtained opioids. The most common medication used is hydromorphone, a potent opioid less powerful than illicit fentanyl. The proposed changes include physicians prescribing safer supply drugs only in conjunction with opioid agonist therapy, an eight-week time limit for prescriptions, and consumption under medical supervision. The College has consulted various stakeholders, including physicians and addiction medicine experts, before proposing these amendments, which are expected to be voted on by the board of directors on October 13. Health Minister Sylvia Jones' office supports the changes, emphasizing their commitment to combatting illegal drug distribution. However, critics, such as harm reduction worker Lorraine Lam, express concerns about the potential destabilization of individuals relying on safer supply and the increased risk of overdoses and deaths if access is abruptly cut off.",
  "summary": "Ontario’s medical regulator is proposing sweeping changes to prescribing safer supply drugs, The Canadian Press has learned. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is looking to clamp down on the practice and is set to hold a board of directors meeting next week to decide on the proposed changes. Safer supply refers to […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Ontario’s medical regulator proposing sweeping changes to prescribing safer supply",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/ontarios-medical-regulator-proposing-sweeping-changes-to-prescribing",
        "published": "2026-10-06T15:50:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Ontario’s medical regulator proposing sweeping changes to prescribing safer supply",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/ontarios-medical-regulator-proposing-sweeping-changes-to-prescribing-12420714",
        "published": "2026-10-06T16:44:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}