In view of mounting global concerns over the abuse and misuse of opioids, the Ministry of Health appointed the MOH Opioids Committee to develop the National Guidelines for the Safe Prescribing of Opioids (NGSPO). In developing these guidelines, the committee has taken reference from international guidelines and contextualised to the local settings, as well as harmonised practices across different institutions and clinical practices.
This document will serve as a guide for any healthcare professional that prescribes opioids in their practice.
View the NGSPO here: https://go.gov.sg/opioidsguidelines (1 MB)
Guideline Overview
The NGSPO provides recommendations for the prescribing of opioids in adults and aims to encourage the safe use of opioids while preventing abuse/misuse by:
Improving the safety and effectiveness of opioid therapy and opioid dependence management.
Reducing the risks associated with opioid therapy and opioid dependence management, including opioid use disorder and overdose; and
Improving communication between healthcare professionals and patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy and opioid dependence management
Recommendations focus on the use of opioids in the following areas:
Acute Pain
Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Cancer Pain and Pain in Life-Limiting Non-Cancer Diseases
Cough
Management of Opioid Dependence
For each section, the recommendations are organized as such:
Establishing terms and definitions
Suggested treatment algorithms
Opioid selection, dosage, duration
Monitoring parameters for patients on opioid therapy
Assessing risk and addressing harms of opioid use
FAQs
You may refer to this document for clarifications to some frequently asked questions on the NGSPO.
MOH Townhalls on the NGSPO
Prior to the publication of the NGSPO, MOH held 2 virtual Townhall sessions in Jan 2021, with the aim of sharing the key features of the NGSPO with the wider private and public healthcare professional landscape and addressing any concerns with the recommendations. Over 600 healthcare professionals, across the private and public sector and across settings, participated in the sessions. The recording of the Townhall can be accessed here.
Disclaimer
The NGSPO is meant to serve as a guide to clinical practice and is not intended to be exhaustive. Each medical practitioner is ultimately responsible for the management of his/her unique patient, in light of the clinical data presented by the patient, and the diagnostic and treatment options available. The contents of this publication are based on the best available evidence at the time of development.
Sharing Your Feedback
For feedback pertaining to the guidelines, please submit by clicking this link or scan the QR code below to access the feedback form.
