CSPCP Position Statement on Access to Opioids for Patient Requiring Palliative Care

The CSPCP has issued this position statement to ensure that our patients requiring palliative care have access to the appropriate doses of opioids that they need, when they need them.


  1. We believe in the safe, appropriate, and timely access to opioids for the management of pain and symptoms in those with life-limiting illnesses, in the appropriate doses as are required by each patient, without any specific maximum dose.
  2. We believe that opioid prescribing is legitimate to alleviate suffering from both pain and dyspnea in patients requiring palliative care suffering from both cancer and non-cancer illnesses (such as, but not limited to, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and end-stage renal disease).
  3. We advocate for increased governmental funding for education for physicians in appropriate prescribing, screening for potential misuse, and recognition and reporting of medication errors.

Full statement: click here